After a period of sustained campaigning and community pressure, the NSW Government has announced that they will reject pending and future applications for offshore mining off the state’s coast. This includes the proposed PEP 11 that would have seen offshore exploration and mining between Manly and Newcastle

NSW coastal waters will be off limits for mineral, coal and petroleum exploration licences. The policy will restrict future permits to only enable sand mining for coastal erosion.

The rejection of pending and future commercial offshore exploration and mining permits will ensure the longevity of the Hunter’s and Central Coast’s coastline, which is integral to the local community’s life with our region’s beaches and water ways playing an important role in local’s lives and driving tourism for the area.

Ms Yasmin Catley MP – Shadow Minister for the Hunter said ‘the local community has been urging the Liberals to reject applications for offshore mining projects such as PEP 11 for some time’.

‘The NSW Government’s decision to reject pending and future applications for offshore exploration and mining is a testament to the Hunter and Central Coast community and their campaigning efforts to prevent PEP 11 taking place’.

‘This decision will help maintain our spectacular coastline and water ways well into the future’.