Federal Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon has launched a community campaign and petition to stop oil and gas rigs being built off the coast of Newcastle.
The federal and state governments are assessing Advent Energy's application to extend Petroleum Exploration Permit 11, which covers 4500 square kilometres of ocean from Port Stephens to Sydney.
"Newcastle has lived under the spectre of PEP11 since it was first granted in 1999. In this time, it's achieved nothing but caused great distress and anxiety throughout our community," Ms Claydon said.
"The Morrison government needs to reject the application to extend PEP11 and ensure that oil and gas rigs never darken Newcastle's waters. This is the first opportunity there's been in a number of years to see the back of this project."
Advent Energy is seeking to extend the permit for another five years. The company's managing director David Breeze said recently that plans to drill for gas were a "central potential solution to substantial gas shortage issues".
Mr Breeze added that Advent Energy's plans support the federal government's push for a "gas-led recovery" from the COVID-19 pandemic.
But Ms Claydon said it was a ridiculous idea to "set up oil and gas rigs on one of the busiest east coast sea routes next to some of our most populous cities and towns".
"I urge anyone with an interest in protecting our precious coastal waters to sign the petition on my website or in my office," she said.
