A giant gas rig is now anchored in the sea off Newcastle, ready to start the state’s first offshore drilling program.
The Ocean Patriot proved an unusual sight off Sydney Heads on Sunday during its journey north.
It’s now been positioned and will begin probing for natural gas tomorrow.
Advent Energy was given approval for the drilling, 55 kilometres off Newcastle, last month.
Gosford City Councillor Peter Freewater says there’s fear drilling will move closer to the Central Coast.
“They’ll be drilling all up and down the coast off our beaches before too long.”
Note: Raw vision
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It’s time for all levels of government to take meaningful action on climate change. That means NO NEW FOSSIL FUEL BASED ENERGY PRODUCTION. No new coal mine on the Central Coast- no new coal-fired powerstations- no expansion of Lake Munmorah Power Station- no offshore gas drilling off Newcastle & the Central Coast- and no coal seam gas drilling in the Hunter Valley.
The use of coal for energy production and export is Australia’s biggest contributor to global warming. And “cleaner greener” gas still produces 50-75% of the greenhouse gases that coal does. Continuing with these fossil fuels will destroy the planet for future generations.
There are commerically viable forms of renewable energy like large-scale solar thermal and wind power already operating all over the world. Come on Australia- get with the program!
See http://www.beyondzeroemissions.org for a fully costed & researched plan for Australia to transition to 100% renewable energies by 2020- the Zero Carbon Australia Plan.
Mira Wroblewski, Climate Action Central Coast