16 FEBRUARY 2023
ISSUE 378 Photo: Australian Reptile Park
News
SES volunteers honoured for their combined 120 years of service See page 8
Out&About
Koala love in the air on Valentine’s Day
Love was truly in the air at the Australian Reptile Park on Valentine’s Day, February 14, as Elsa the world-famous koala discovered she had a secret admirer.
Revive-ing arts and culture on the Coast See page 13
Business
See page 14
Mammals keeper Lauren Hunter delivered the special bouquet to Elsa
Steggall to reintroduce Bill to ban PEP 11 once and for all Member for Warringah Zali Steggall is set to reintroduce her Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Stop PEP 11 and Protect Our Coast) Private Members Bill to Federal Parliament, with the PEP 11 permit for offshore gas exploration now back in the spotlight. With the Federal Government and Asset Energy agreeing recently to end a Federal Court challenge over former PM Scott Morrison’s refusal of a licence renewal, the permit will once more have to go through the process of being considered by the Joint
Authority (comprising State and Federal governments). “The Petroleum Exploration Permit 11 (PEP 11) application, which covers 4,500 square kilometres of ocean along NSW’s east coast from North Head National Park in Manly, through the Central Coast and as far as Newcastle, is destined to be reconsidered,” Steggall said. “When the Bill was first introduced in November, 2021, Prime Minister Albanese, then in Opposition, stated: ‘We stood at Terrigal and made it very clear that we were opposed to PEP 11 … this is a bad proposal’.” Continued page 8
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Solar energy boost for Lake Haven centre See page 21
Sport
Putting more smiles on dials at disabled surfing day See page 30 Zali Steggall Independent MP for Warringah
Puzzles page 18