Santos returns to Tiwi Islands for new round of consultation after Federal Court ruling

Energy giant Santos is back on the Tiwi Islands after a court ordered further consultation on its Barossa gas project.

The first day of the latest round of consultation hearings with Tiwi Islands Traditional Owners into the Barossa gas project began at Milikapiti sport and recreation centre on Monday.

The fresh talks followed a federal court decision to overturn the original decision by gas regulator NOPSEMA to approve Santos’ $5bn Timor Sea Barossa gas project.

The new consultation round comes after NOPSEMA acted on an instruction by Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King for the industry to make genuine efforts to consult with first nations people.

On January 13, NOPSEMA issued a new directive instructing Santos it must be notified at least 10 days before the commencement of any future activities covered by the Barossa gas export pipeline installation environment plan.

The order directs Santos to carry out an environmental assessment to identify any underwater Indigenous cultural heritage places along the Barossa pipeline route.

It also instructs Santos to update the existing environment plan and provide weekly progress reports around the assessment.

Tiwi Islands Elder Dennis Tipakalippa has taken Santos to court over its Barossa offshore project. Picture: Supplied

In a statement, NOPSEMA said Santos provided an undertaking not to commence construction on the pipeline until the environmental process was completed.

The move was welcomed by Traditional Owners and environmental groups who are opposed to development of the Barossa prospect.

Tiwi Islands Traditional Owner Therese Wokay Bourke said she was relieved and grateful at NOPSEMA’s direction.

“We are Sea People and this gives me a sense of relief because it means that our ancestral spiritual and cultural connection to underwater spiritual heritage will be preserved for all Tiwi people, for now and in the future,” she said.

“It is my birthright and responsibility as a Traditional Owner of the Tiwi Islands to protect the spirit of our sea country. It is vital that we have time to map out our underwater spiritual heritage. Tiwi people must lead this process because we are the experts of our cultural heritage.”

Environment Centre NT executive director Kirsty Howey welcomed the regulator’s intervention.

“While Santos tries to assure shareholders that the project is on track, there is no doubt that this process will blow out Santos’ timetable,” Ms Howey said.

“Shareholders and investors should be asking whether this project will ever reach the finish line.”

The intervention follows a successful legal challenge last year by Tiwi Islands senior lawman Dennis Tipakalippa to the Barossa project.

Kirsty Howey from the Environment Centre NT. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Following that decision, Ms King directed NOPSEMA to provide improved guidance to the petroleum and gas industry on consultation requirements.

Santos has said it welcomes a rigorous consultation process and would engage with Tiwi Island residents.

“As part of the Barossa gas development project, we have worked with the Tiwi Land Council to schedule three community sessions for the Tiwi Islands in early February where the community are invited to attend to learn more about the project and upcoming plans, ask questions, and tell us how they want to be consulted on the project as it progresses,” a spokesman said.

“Feedback is important to us. Santos wants to build strong, positive and productive relationships with Traditional Owners and communities of the Tiwi Islands, and we respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and culture.

“We are committed to carefully assessing all the feedback from the community sessions and consider it going forward.”

Following Monday’s meeting at Milikapiti Sport and Recreation Centre, Santos will move to the Pirlangimpi Club at 10.30am Tuesday, February 7 and the Mantiyupwi Motel meeting room at 10.30am on February 8.