Pittwater Life April 2019 Issue

Editorial Seismic testing: what dangers? What are the duties and responsibilities of our local government? Should it concentrate on core essential services to ratepayers? Or should Council’s brief extend to broader community concerns? We pose this question in the background of some of our elected Councillors lobbying to have all future offshore oil and gas exploration banned. It’s a noble undertaking. It comes as Living Ocean has again highlighted concerns about the effects of seismic testing – pulses of compressed air that essentially create sonic booms – on marine life. We’ve looked into this issue extensively. First, it’s true that the company that holds the lease to an offshore territory extending from Newcastle to Manly – PEP11 – has flagged its intention to apply for approval for 3D seismic tests. The good news for opponents though is that it’s not a given and it could be up to 12 months before they submit documents seeking approval. That doesn’t take away from the dangers the testing might pose to our marine environment. After all, would you want an air gun blasted next to your head? Turn to page 14 for more. * * * Stop Press! Just as we were sending this issue to print we received a plea from reader Gaye Fleming asking us to try to help her find her silver anniversary bracelet, lost at Palm Beach on March 25. Obviously Gaye has a significant emotional attachment to the bracelet and is posting a reward should anyone come forward with it. If you found something that sounds like it fits the bill contact her at gaye1fleming@ gmail.com. Fingers crossed! – Nigel Wall The Local Voice Since 1991 APRIL <strong>2019</strong> 3