Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro has criticised Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s decision to commission an independent review to assess the potential adverse impact on groundwater from gas fracking plans in the Beetaloo Basin, it has been reported.
On September 13, Ms Plibersek announced that plans by three companies to extract gas from Beetaloo Basin using the controversial hydraulic fracturing method had been referred to the Independent Expert Scientific Committee to evaluate the impact on water.
Ms Plibersek told the media that project appraisals had to be based on laws and science.
“That’s why I’ve asked the scientific experts to look into these projects to settle any concerns about potential impacts on water,” Ms Plibersek said.
“Everyone concerned should respect the independent scientists – not rush to judgment on the basis of assumptions.”
A so called “water trigger” was established through the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Act 2013. That amendment required that water resources be considered a matter of national environmental significance in relation to coal seam gas and large coal mining development, with fracking last year added as a type of development that had to be considered.
The minister is obliged to seek the advice of the IESC before making a decision on actions that may have a significant impact on water resources and may have adverse impacts on “protected matters“.
Ms Finocchiaro was quoted in the NT News saying she did not support the the federal environment minister referring the fracking projects to the IESC.
“Clearly this isn’t a necessary review but the federal government are pushing ahead. What we know is the Beetaloo Basin is going to present enormous opportunities for the Territory,” Ms Finocchiaro said.
“We’re very focused on developing the Territory’s potential going forward and that we can shed the ridiculous title we’ve had for five-and-a-half years of being the worst performing economy in the nation.”
In response to Ms Plibersek’s announcement, one of the proponents, Tamboran Resources, said in a statement that its activities were already subject to an environmental management plan and water extraction license applications approved by the NT Environmental Protection Agency and the NT environment minister.
“All water use is subject to a water extraction license which ensures the volume of water used is sustainable and consistent with the NT water allocation plan,” chief executive officer Joel Riddle said.
“Tamboran’s proposed WAP represents only 5.6 per cent of the industry allocation within this WAP, or 0.2 per cent of the estimate sustainable yield.
“Tamboran is confident in our assessment that our current activities do not have a significant impact on water resources, and we welcome further confirmation from the IESC to this effect.”
The NT News reported that NT Environment Minister Josh Burgoyne said the upcoming inquiry was a “handbrake”.
“The Federal Labor government has no reason to put a handbrake on developing the Beetaloo Basin. Our onshore petroleum industry is well regulated under a range of laws to ensure it occurs safely and in line with community expectations,” Mr Burgoyne said.
The IESC’s assessment is expected by December 31.
I would not trust a word of what Plibersek has to say.
But, on the other hand, I sat through the transparent farce that was the Fraccing inquiry when we all know 94% of Territorians declared a loud NO to the project, many having viewed the damage caused in NSW, Queensland, and the US SE West.
The very last element of concern of scientists today is science; because that is not what they are paid to deliver. Likewise, the very last consideration of politicians is democracy.
I am not pointing a finger at a new government but the role is now typecast and I will be watching closely to see if the CLP serves the people or the corporations. But my hackles are already up. Anybody who claims the interests of the people of NT have been well-served by the gas and oil industry either has not acquainted themselves with the empirical reality, or they are lying to us. Giving natural resources away free has never been recognised as in the national or regional interest.
Thanks for your measured comment, Tony.
The ALP (Territory and federal) and CLP have all sold us out in favour of corporations concerning hydraulic fracking and water allocations.
I want to see those tiers of government undertake to buy my home at the current market value ($470K) when water quality is compromised to the point it is not fit for human and animal consumption or used in agriculture.
Then sadly, I’ll be forced to leave this wonderful jurisdiction and find somewhere else to live.
Water is life!!!