Liberal MPs Jason Falinski and Dave Sharma have turned up the heat on their Coalition colleague Resources Minister Keith Pitt and demanded he consign an application to explore for gas off the Hunter and Sydney coasts to the trash can of history.
"It is a matter of when, not if, we are putting a stake through the heart of this unloved and unwanted licence that has hung like the sword of Damocles over the heads of our communities from Wollongong to Newcastle," the Sydney-based MPs, who were supported by NSW Senator Andrew Bragg said.
"For five long years all these people have worked hard to bring a 'finn' to the daytime Bold and the Beautiful drama of Petroleum Exploration Permit 11 (PEP 11).
It is six months since the contentious exploration licence expired.
Speaking in February Mr Pitt said he "would prefer the decision was made soon" on an application by Advent Energy to extend it for two years.
Asked about the application's assessment on Wednesday Mr Pitt said:
"As the decision maker on PEP 11, I will take into account all relevant facts in this matter," he said.
"As community groups and stakeholders expect, I will give all views the consideration they deserve before announcing my decision."
In addition to widespread community opposition, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has joined every federal MP between Newcastle and Sydney in opposing the project.
Shortland MP Pat Conroy said it was unacceptable that Mr Pitt had refused to reject the application.
"It is inexcusable our community has been waiting this long for the Minister to say to no PEP 11 given the extensive opposition to it," Mr Conroy said.
"The ball is firmly in Keith Pitt's court and there's absolutely nothing stopping him from ending this uncertainty and listening to the community's wishes.
"He needs to pull his finger out and say no to PEP 11 once and for all."
Surfrider Foundation Australia, Save Our Coast, Surfers for Climate and Living Ocean Australia were among groups that organised a series of virtual town hall meetings against PEP11 on Thursday.
'It's truly baffling that the threat is still there when politicians from all sides of politics have come out in opposition to PEP11," Surfrider Foundation's National Campaign Director Damien Cole said.
"Almost every single politician who has commented on this project has opposed it, yet for some reason this absurd proposal is still alive.
Pro surfer and co-founder of Surfers for Climate Belinda Baggs said plans to 'supercharge' Australia's gas industry must stop.
"Australia is currently swimming in gas," she said.
"We are the biggest exporter of LNG in the world, exporting three times what we use domestically, and the idea we need to keep drilling into pristine marine ecosystems to develop more is just crazy. Australia can never make any meaningful contribution to climate action while the gas industry is being supercharged."
The NSW Government has also opposed the project.
Mr Pitt has previously defended the regulation of offshore petroleum exploration and mining in Australia.
"The Government is committed to protecting the marine environment by ensuring sustainable practices by all marine users, now and into the future," he said in February.
"I appreciate the strong community interest in the issue but am concerned about some of the exaggerated claims being made by groups who are opposed to the permit.
"While the permit covers a wide area, gas exploration targets are around 30 kilometres offshore and any rig is unlikely to be visible from the coast.
