The Petroleum Exploration Permit 11 (PEP 11) has been suspended. Finally, a ban on seismic testing off Manly is guaranteed.

Northern Beaches and Central Coast communities celebrated the announcement by Keith Pitt, Member for Hinkler in QLD (nowhere near Manly!) the LNP Minister for Resources, of the final suspension of PEP 11 offthe coast from North Head to Newcastle. Believe it or not, this licence would have seen seismic testing and drilling within 3km from our beaches.

Since 2018 the Surfrider Foundation, Save our Coast/Stop Seismic Testing, Living Ocean and hundreds of locals have been working hard to stop PEP11, and it is now confirmed “dead” by the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA). Yesterday the final nail in PEP 11’s coffin was hammered in. NOPTA’s glorious “Not approved” notification was released.The fight to protect ourcoast from offshore mining is over.

Photo: Surfriders