Santos is seeking costs from the EDO for delays in the Barossa project

A Territory green group is in the frame for costs for helping stall a major project. Read what happened in court.

Energy company Santos is seeking costs from the Environmental Defenders Office for legal actions that delayed the Barossa gas development by more than a year.

The Adelaide-based company has asked a court to compel four environmental groups including the NT Environment Centre to release documents from the EDO in a bid to uncover who bankrolled their campaign to oppose the $7bn development.

Protesters in Melbourne supported the EDO, which was later discredited by the federal court. (Photo by Tamati Smith/Getty Images)

The EDO represented Simon Munkara and other Tiwi Islanders in their last-ditch attempt to block the project last year.

The federal court found in favour of Santos in January, ruling that cultural heritage arguments used by groups opposed to the development relied on contradictory and made-up evidence.

Judge Natalie Charlesworth found evidence used against the Barossa project involved “confection” and coaching of witnesses. She said some of the evidence was “so lacking in integrity” that it could not be taken seriously.

Santos wants access to communication between the EDO, Environment Centre NT and other activist groups the Jubilee Australia Research Centre, The Sunrise Project Australia and Market Forces.

Appearing for Santos, Adam Hocroth told an Adelaide Court the company was seeking third-party costs order against the EDO, and might see similar orders against the four activist groups.

“Communications between the four organisations and the EDO could possibly throw light on how the EDO was able to fund the proceedings.”