Environmentalists and traditional owners have voiced concerns after an incident involving contaminated water being pumped onto vegetation near a fracking site in the Beetaloo Basin was reported this week, raising concerns of what could happen when more wells are drilled in the region.

A $34 million water security program, dubbed ‘Better Bores for Communities’ has been launched across the NT to improve water security, quality and supply in 10 remote communities, following the NT Government’s failed legal bid to overturn a court ruling that found it was obligated to provide access to safe drinking water in remote communities.

Long-time NT public servant Greg Shanahan, who conducted a secret review of the ICAC Act for Labor two years ago, has been appointed the new acting anti-corruption commissioner, with Michael Riches remaining on indefinite leave with full pay, while the long-running investigation into his conduct continues with no end in sight.

A series of CSIRO reports into the development of a multi-user carbon capture, use and storage facility at the proposed Middle Arm industrial precinct estimates the capital cost could be between $7.3 and $7.9 billion, but warned of ‘major uncertainty’ in understanding what additional costs could arise, while an energy peak body said using CCUS to deal with emissions was a “complete fantasy”.

Environmental group Lock the Gate Alliance says it is seeking a Federal Court injunction to halt Tamboran Resource’s fracking operations in the Beetaloo Basin, arguing it needs to be assessed under federal environment laws concerning its water use, before proceeding.