Lock the Gate Alliance welcomes Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s probe into whether fracking companies active in the Northern Territory are complying with the requirements of the expanded water trigger under national environment laws.
In response (available here) to a question by Independent Member for Mackellar Sophie Scamps in Federal Parliament today, Minister Plibersek said:
“I have asked my department to provide advice to me to assure me that all companies that are operating in the Beetaloo Basin are complying with their obligations under the expanded water trigger.”
Tamboran recently submitted its plan for its Shenandoah gasfield to the Northern Territory Environment Department, however neither the company, nor the NT Government, has referred it under the water trigger. This was also confirmed in Minister Plibersek’s response.
Lock the Gate Alliance National Coordinator Carmel Flint said:
“We commend Minister Plibersek for launching this investigation into whether fracking companies are meeting their requirements under the water trigger in national environment laws.
“History has taught us that unconventional gas companies will look to exploit loopholes and avoid environmental scrutiny wherever possible.
“Tamboran’s Shenandoah gasfield would use millions of litres of harmful fracking chemicals and more than one billion litres of water.
“The NT, including parts of the Beetaloo Basin where fracking companies are active, is right now facing extreme flooding due to the impact of ex-Tropical Cyclone Megan, highlighting the extreme risks this dangerous industry poses in such a region.
“Tamboran’s Shenandoah project absolutely must not escape the added environmental scrutiny afforded under the expanded water trigger.
“We’re calling on the minister to take a precautionary approach and call these projects in for assessment under the water trigger as soon as possible.”
ENDS