Today marks six months since the Petroleum Exploration Permit 11 (PEP 11) expired, yet the Federal Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia, Keith Pitt, is yet to make a decision on the application for its extension. The Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon, has again written to the Minister [see attached] requesting that he reject the extension of PEP 11. On 21 May this year, Ms Claydon wrote a letter to Minister Pitt urging that the PEP 11 project be scrapped once and for all. The Minister is yet to respond to the Member for Newcastle, leaving residents completely in the dark over the coastlines future.Ms Claydon said the Minister knew the permit was up for renewal six months ago, and his indecision regarding the application of the permit extension has fueled anxiety amongst the community over the protection of our precious coastline. Clearly Minister Pitt is not taking the deep concerns of our community seriously. Its simply not good enough that Im yet to receive a response from the Minister on such a serious issue. Ms Claydon said her office has been inundated with tens of thousands of heartfelt letters, emails and calls, rejecting the PEP 11 project. From Sydney, to the Central Coast, to Newcastle, communities along the coastline have been outspoken on this issue, and they deserve answers. Representatives across the political spectrum, including the Prime Minister, have been united in our calls to stop the exploration of oil and gas off our beautiful beaches. Ms Claydon said. The Minister has been sitting on his decision for over six months now. Its time Keith Pitt listened to the voices of our coastal communities and act urgently to put an end to PEP 11 once and for all.