Independent Expert Scientific Committee releases advice on Beetaloo Basin

The potential impact on the Beetaloo Basin’s water resources from appraisal activities for unconventional gas has been assessed as minor, an expert committee has found, with Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek declaring “you can’t pick and choose when you accept the science.”

This week, the Independent Expert Scientific Committee (IESC) released its findings on unconventional gas exploration in the Beetaloo Basin.

The potential impact on the Beetaloo Basin’s water resources from appraisal activities for unconventional gas has been assessed as minor, an expert committee has found, with federal Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek declaring “you can’t pick and choose when you accept the science.”

This week, the Independent Expert Scientific Committee (IESC) released its findings on unconventional gas exploration in the Beetaloo Basin, after it was tasked by Ms Plibersek in July, 2024, to provide expert advice on the matter, including whether there would be potential environmental impacts or risk to water resources.

Key “potential risks” were identified in the report, but declared “minor” if mitigated.

The report summary identified several “key potential impacts”, including fragmentation of native vegetation and altered surface runoff.

Other concerns included the spillage of chemicals, the spread of invasive species and the failure of well integrity.

However, the committee declared appropriate measures would mitigate such risks.

“Providing mitigation strategies are adopted and correctly implemented, the IESC considers that the potential impacts on the Basin’s water resources from initial exploration and appraisal activities for unconventional gas are minor.”

The assessment follows the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s position on the matter, which maintained the exploration work did not meet the legal threshold of a matter of national environmental significance that needs to be assessed under national environment law.

The report said additional studies may be required if exploration activities expanded.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said “you can’t pick and choose” when to accept the science. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Plibersek said environmental decisions must be guided by “science and national environment law”.

“The water trigger, as voted for by the Greens political party and independents, dictates that a project must have a significant impact on water resources to be called in,” she said.

“You can’t pick and choose when you accept the science and when you don’t.”

The government’s so-called water trigger, which ensures fracking projects are assessed by the Commonwealth for their impact on water supplies, was expanded last year.

At the time, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young hailed the expansion.

“This was a big win for the environment, a big win for nature and a blow to the big gas companies,” she said.

Originally published as Independent Expert Scientific Committee releases advice on Beetaloo Basin