Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek sidesteps ‘water trigger’, referring Beetaloo to experts

The Environment Minister said she had ‘asked the scientific experts to look into these projects’, which she said would ‘settle any concerns about potential impacts on water’.

Tanya Plibersek is urging stakeholders to ‘respect the independent scientists’.

The federal government’s Independent Expert Scientific Committee will advise Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek about what impact gas exploration in the Beetaloo Basin could have on the Territory’s water.

The move comes in response to pressure from environmental groups for Ms Plibersek to pull a “water trigger” that would have seen her evaluate the impact herself.

But Ms Plibersek said had she done so, she would have referred the question to the IESC in any event, with the committee instead having accepted her request to provide the advice.

“Environmental decisions must be guided by science and national environment law,” she said.

“That’s why I’ve asked the scientific experts to look into these projects to settle any concerns about potential impacts on water.

“Everyone concerned should respect the independent scientists – not rush to judgment on the basis of assumptions.”

Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour said it was Labor that expanded the water trigger assessments to include all unconventional gas projects.

“Expanding the water trigger was a major election commitment of mine in Lingiari and I welcome the IESC’s advice as a further safeguard that will ensure our waterways and natural resources remain protected,” she said.

Indigenous Australian Minister Malarndirri McCarthy backed her cabinet colleague’s call to refer the issue to the committee. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“In regional and remote parts of Lingiari, groundwater is relied upon for drinking and to sustain our natural environments — I take seriously any potential impacts to that.

“Among First Nations communities water is life and is sacred, I take the concerns of First Nations in the area very seriously.”

Indigenous Australians Minister and NT Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said she was “pleased to see the IESC has accepted the minister’s request”.

“I look forward to seeing the outcome of their scientific advice,” she said.

“This will be of significance to communities in the Beetaloo Basin region.”

In September, Tamboran Resources began drilling in the Beetaloo, marking the start of the biggest single operation at the gas field so far.

The US gas company started drilling two wells as part of its Shenandoah South Pilot Project, each expected to take 30 days and reach more than 3km deep.

“We are excited to commence our 2024 Beetaloo Basin drilling program, which includes the longest horizontal wells drilled in the Beetaloo Basin to date,” chief executive Joel Riddle said at the time.

NT Environment Minister Josh Burgoyne said the federal government had “no reason to put a handbrake on developing the Beetaloo Basin”.

“Developing our onshore gas industry in the Beetaloo Basin is an important part of rebuilding the Northern Territory economy,” he said.

“Our onshore petroleum industry is well regulated under a range of laws to ensure it occurs safely, and in line with community expectations.

“Our regulatory systems and processes are informed by the best available science, and the Beetaloo has been subject to extensive environmental and scientific studies.

“The science has proven this can be done safely and it is now time to move forward with these nationally important projects.”