Tamboran fracking approval challenged in NT Supreme Court

November 9, 2023
Issue 
Activists and First Nations people oppose the NT's decision to support Tamboran fracking the Beetaloo Basin. Photo: Environment Centre Northern Territory/Facebook

The Central Australian Frack Free Alliance (CAFFA) 聽the Northern Territory environment minister聽over the聽decision to allow Texan gas company Tamboran to drill and frack 12 exploratory wells in the NT.

CAFFA is arguing the minister鈥檚 approval was invalid because she the environmental impacts of future gas projects.

A large community anti-fracking gathering was organised outside the NT Supreme Court began hearings on November 7.

CAFFA members Heather McIntyre and Do Newman told their story of CAFFA鈥檚 decade-long campaign against fracking, and thanked the crowd for their solidarity.

Community opposition to fracking is high. indicate 86% of Territorians do not want fracking to go ahead.

Fracking for groundwater contamination, as well as contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. The International Energy Agency in 2021 that if the world is to reach net zero by 2050 there can be no new gasfields.

Tamboran is now the biggest player in the plan to frack the Beetaloo Basin, having Origin Energy鈥檚 stake.

The company 12 pilot production wells on Amungee Mungee cattle station, south east of Daly Waters.

The gas fracked from the Beetaloo Basin at the NT government鈥檚 proposed industrial precinct at Middle Arm.

The Middle Arm Industrial Precinct is the subject of a Senate inquiry, which is expected to hold hearings in Darwin and Palmeston in coming months.

Climate justice activists with the No New Gas Coalition have vowed to stop fracking from going ahead. They say the government cannot be trusted.

Earlier this year, the NT government 聽about having implemented all of the Pepper Inquiry鈥檚 recommendations. One crucial recommendation 鈥斅9.8 鈥斅 there should be no net increase in the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from any onshore shale gas projects.

A has found that the NT government has significantly underestimated emissions that will be released from fracking the Beetaloo Basin.

Earlier this year, Tamboran imported its megafracker into Darwin, from the US, in preparation for its deigns on the Beelatoo Basin.

When the megafracker arrived in Darwin in May, one activist to it for hours before being cut loose and arrested.

Activists through Katherine in July using聽using bikes, prams and shopping trolleys to obstruct the road and raising a 鈥淣o New Gas鈥 banner.

The 12 wells are just the beginning. At full production, the NT and federal government envisage .

Tamboran has already been before production has even started. If full-scale production goes ahead, the implications for the groundwater, the climate and Territory livelihoods could be disastrous.

[Stay up to date with CAFFA and the No New Gas Coalition .]

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