Government and Opposition MPs have spoken passionately about why they do not want a gas exploration licence covering an area between Newcastle and Sydney renewed.
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The five MPs told federal parliament on Monday that renewing Petroleum Exploration Permit 11 next February would risk immense environmental damage for next to no benefit.
"Let's be clear, this permit should never have been granted in the first place. We don't need this project, we don't want this project and if anything goes wrong we will more than regret it," Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon said.
"Australia has plentiful energy resources, we don't need drilling rigs set up within spitting distance of major cities and towns."
PEP11 covers a 4,500 square kilometre area between Manly to Newcastle.
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Several petroleum companies have explored the area since 1999 with each concluding that there is little viable resource to be extracted.
However, the latest holder of the licence, Advent Energy, has sought to extend it for another five years when it expires next February.
The company argues that its plans to drill for gas represent a " potential solution to substantial gas shortage issues".
If the plans were successful the company says it would "give capacity to supply gas into the proposed gas-fired power station being put forward by the prime minister for the Hunter Valley area".
Federal Resources Minister Minister Keith Pitt and NSW Minister for Industry and Trade John Barilaro are responsible for determining whether to extend the licence or not.
More than 76,000 people have signed a Save Our Coast petition calling for the licence to be extinguished. In addition 25,600 people have contacted their local MP about the issue.
"This is one of the most densely populated and trafficked strips of ocean in the world. It is also one of the most beautiful and iconic. Many people are surprised to learn such exploration is even happening right in our backyard nevermind there is a prospect for renewing such exploration," Wentworth MP Dave Sharma told parliament.
North Sydney MP Trent Zimmerman said Advent Energy's plans were inconsistent with community attitudes towards the environment.
"Drilling and exploring for gas is not and never will be acceptable for the wonderful coastal environment that is our legacy and responsibility to protect and preserve," he said.
But Ms Claydon challenged the Liberal MPs to fight harder to ensure their colleague Minister Pitt and Minister Barilaro did not renew the licence.
"I do hope the Member for MacKellar (Jason Falinksi) has backed his words with actions," she said.
"Has he written to the two government ministers responsible, he met with them, is he fighting to make sure this motion is put to a vote in the Australian parliament."
Founder and Director of Save Our Coast Natasha Deen said Monday's support from across the political divide had been moving and powerful.
"We are delighted to have Liberal MP Jason Falinski calling for an end to PEP 11, with the support of all sides of politics, all sharing concern and caring for our beautiful coast, and all agreeing that the flawed and devastating plan that is PEP 11 should never have been established in the first place, in this historic event," she said.
It is wonderful to have MPs standing with communities and sharing our outrage and distress at the thought of harming our coast, our beloved marine animals and our way of life to drill for fossil fuels that will only exacerbate climate damage and risk catastrophic damage to the iconic NSW coast that we depend on for our wellbeing and livelihoods."
"PEP 11 is deeply opposed across Australia; this event as well as the 76,000 signatures on our petitions and 26,000 actions taken, should make it extremely clear to Minister Keith Pitt to make the decision that the community, his party and all sides of politics is asking for: to Stop PEP11 and Save Our Coast we all love."
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