The New South Wales government has taken a significant step towards protecting the state’s beaches and coastal environment by introducing a ban on seabed petroleum and mineral mining off the NSW coast.

This move makes NSW the first state in Australia to prohibit seabed petroleum and mineral exploration and mining, showcasing a commitment to safeguarding marine ecosystems.

The Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Seabed Mining and Exploration) Bill 2024, which received bipartisan support in the NSW Parliament, amends the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to enforce the ban.

The legislation prohibits seabed petroleum and mineral exploration and recovery in NSW coastal waters, as well as any related development within the state for these purposes.

Offshore mining activities can have devastating effects on marine wildlife, including releasing toxic materials, destroying habitats, and increasing harmful sediment levels.

The ban aims to prevent such environmental damage, including risks such as oil spills and greenhouse gas emissions associated with offshore exploration and drilling.

While the ban is comprehensive, it does exempt certain activities aimed at coastal protection, such as beach nourishment and beach scraping, which help strengthen beaches, dunes, and cliff systems from erosion.

Additionally, certain dredging activities that do not involve mineral exploration or recovery but have environmental and economic benefits, such as laying pipelines or submarine cables, will be allowed to continue.

This landmark legislation sets a precedent for other states and territories to follow in protecting marine ecosystems from the adverse impacts of offshore mining.