Beetaloo Basin: Millions in consultation funds ‘missing’, fracking inquiry hears

A parliamentary inquiry into a proposal to open the Beetaloo basin to oil and gas producers has been told that millions of dollars to fund consultation with traditional owners had gone missing.

UPDATE: A parliamentary inquiry into a contentious proposal to open the Beetaloo basin to oil and gas producers was told that millions of dollars to fund consultation with traditional owners had gone missing.

Northern Land Council manager Greg McDonald told the committee that he had heard that $2m would be provided to assist on-country consultation over three years.

“We do not yet have a funding agreement,” he told the committee.

“We have received some correspondence by email as to the particular reasons for the delay. I think we will have to take that on notice. I cannot recall the specifics.”

Earlier this month, Resources Minister Keith Pitt said the government had committed the funds but did not provide a timeline on its delivery.

NCA NewsWire understands the funding was part a larger pool of funding set aside for the Beetaloo basin in last year’s budget.

Nurrdalinji Native Title Aboriginal Corporation chairman Johnny Wilson accused the NLC of not listening to traditional landowners opposed to gas exploration or production on-country.

“We want to make decisions for ourselves on our country. We do not want fracking full stop,” he said.

Earlier during the senate inquiry, a submission signed by APPEA NT director Cassy Schmidt outlined how the Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program stood out to accelerate private sector investment in the Northern Territory and surrounding regions.

“Encouraging industry exploration to build a clear picture of the Beetaloo resource will create jobs and opportunities for the Northern Territory through direct employment, local supplier contracts and the flow-on benefits to local businesses in regional communities,” it said.

“Importantly, it will create jobs and training opportunities for local Aboriginal communities.”

In particular it explored the benefits for maximising local Aboriginal employment and how APPEA worked with land councils and supporting a “cleaner energy future”.

But a submission from activist group GetUp! shared frustrations at the Beetaloo project. “Our land and water are precious and should not be put at risk for short-term profits. The longer-term effects of doggedly continuing with a fossil fuels economy are also incredibly shortsighted and frankly dangerous,” an anonymous NT local wrote.

EARLIER: The Senate inquiry into fracking at the Beetaloo Basin has heard submissions from peak exploration bodies, advocacy groups and Territory residents, in its committee hearing in Darwin on Tuesday.

The first witnesses included local and national representatives from the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (APPEA).

In a submission signed by APPEA NT director Cassy Schmidt, it outlined how the Beetaloo Cooperative Drilling Program stood out to accelerate private sector investment in the Northern Territory and surrounding regions.

“Encouraging industry exploration to build a clear picture of the Beetaloo resource will create jobs and opportunities for the Northern Territory through direct employment, local supplier contracts and the flow-on benefits to local businesses in regional communities,” it said.

“Importantly, it will create jobs and training opportunities for local Aboriginal communities.”

In particular it explored the benefits for maximising local Aboriginal employment and how APPEA worked with land councils and supporting a “cleaner energy future”.

In a submission from activist group GetUp!, members of the group from the Northern Territory and across the country shared their frustrations at the Beetaloo project.

“I hold grave concerns that proper and informed consent for this drilling program has not been obtained from Traditional Owners and it will lead to land, water and culture being contaminated across the NT,” an anonymous NT resident wrote.

“Our land and water are precious and should not be put at risk for short-term profits. The longer-term effects of doggedly continuing with a fossil fuels economy are also incredibly shortsighted and frankly dangerous.”

Renewables and Energy Minister Eva Lawler said it was the job of companies to engage traditional owners in their work in the Beetaloo Basin.

She also confirmed from her view that the Beetaloo Basin project should “absolutely not” be scrapped.

“That’s what they need to do, that’s what they are doing and they need to continue to do that,” Ms Lawler said.

“To make sure the Traditional Owners have a thorough understanding of what they’re agreeing to.

“We did the comprehensive hydraulic fracturing inquiry to 135 recommendations.

“We have implemented 100 per cent of those recommendations either completely or they’re underway.

“All of the recommendations around exploration have been implemented.

“We’ll continue to implement all of those recommendations before we get to the next stage, before production starts.”

The inquiry continues into the afternoon.

EARLIER: THE Senate’s Beetaloo Basin fracking committee will hold hearings in Darwin today.

Witnesses appearing at the committee include representatives from NT Environment Centre, Australian Petroleum Exploration and Production Association, Northern Land Council, Lock the Gate Alliance, Cattlemen’s Association and Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority.

APPEA will tell the hearings there is “significant and growing” scientific evidence backing development of the Beetaloo Basin.

Chief executive Andrew McConville said numerous reports had affirmed support for fracking the Beetaloo.

“The best outcome for Territorians will come from following the significant and growing collection of factual, scientific research, inquiries and reviews supporting Beetaloo development,” Mr McConville said.

Environment Centre co-director Kirsty Howey said they will target corporate welfare from Government to exploration companies.

“Fracking remains deeply unpopular in the Northern Territory due to its impacts on water and climate,” she said.

“The International Energy Agency has made it clear that we can open up no new gas fields if we are to avoid catastrophic climate change.”

Hearings begin at 8.30am at Oaks Darwin Elan Hotel

Meanwhile the Federal Government has committed to funding two feasibility studies into the best infrastructure to deliver natural gas from the Beetaloo sub-basin to east coast gas markets and on options for CO2 pipelines between Beetaloo and Middle Arm and Darwin regions.