Save Our Coast is dedicated to saving the coastal ecosystem, the wider environment and preventing climate damage, by informing, inspiring and empowering the community. We promote the interconnectedness of environmental, First Nation and social justice and work to promote and achieve these ideals. Our beautiful stretch of the NSW coast has been earmarked for fossil fuel exploration, with plans for devastating seismic testing and drilling for gas, tormenting marine wildlife and devastating our coast to extract gas that will accelerate our path towards further climate disaster. PEP11 (Petroleum Exploration Permit 11) covers 4500sq/km of ocean from Newcastle through the Central Coast to Manly. In some places it is just 5.5km from shore.
Save Our Coast has campaigned against PEP11 since February 2018 with information sessions, film screenings, market stalls and other events. We have collected more than 77,000 signatories against seismic testing and gas drilling – a powerful sign of community opposition. Thanks to this community pressure, Asset Energy, who holds the PEP11 licence, announced in early 2020 it was cancelling seismic testing – a huge win for our ocean and our community. But the fight is not over. Asset now plans to move directly to drilling for gas. If you don’t want gas rigs off our beaches, please support us by signing our petition or becoming a member.
Save Our Coast a grassroots community not-for-profit, run entirely by volunteers, dedicated to informing, inspiring and empowering the community to care for the coastal ecosystem. Inspired and moved to save dolphins off the coast off Newcastle from the devastating impacts of seismic testing, the Stop Seismic Testing campaign was founded in February 2018 by Natasha Deen, and evolved into our Save Our Coast community group. Now with groups in Newcastle, The Central Coast and Sydney’s northern beaches, we have a core team of 12 with 1000 members. Save Our Coast has conducted an estimated 13,000 conversations in the community, held 15 major events film screenings, meetings and information sessions attended collectively by thousands, with over 60 media reports, and more than 77,000 signatures on petitions. From humble beginnings Save Our Coast has grown into a powerful community movement, united by caring for our coast and compassion for marine animals.
“To subject our marine animals to the harm and torment that is seismic testing, to blast our ocean for fossil fuels in a climate emergency that will exacerbate climate damage, risk devastating our coast forever, is completely unconscionable. That is why we are stepping up and speaking up to Stop Seismic Testing, to save our marine animals, our living ocean and Save Our Coast that we all love.” – Natasha Deen, Founder, Save Our Coast.