Lock the Gate launches NTCAT challenge against Empire’s Larrimah fracking project

An anti-fossil fuel group has launched a fresh legal challenge against plans to drill six exploratory wells near Larrimah, arguing it poses major risk to water resources.

An anti-fossil fuel group has launched a fresh legal challenge against gas projects in the Beetaloo.

Lock the Gate Alliance has launched a case against the Northern Territory government’s recent approval of Empire Energy’s Larrimah fracking exploration project.

Represented by Johnson Legal, the alliance is challenging the merits of the Environment Management Plan approval in the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal, with a directions hearing scheduled for Friday.

It will argue the impact of the Larrimah project will pose major threat to local groundwater and surface water, and its plan should be refused by NTCAT when the risks and merits of the project are fully assessed.

The proposed project will drill six exploratory gas wells west of Larrimah. Picture: Jason Walls

“Fracking requires vast quantities of toxic chemicals and produces huge volumes of wastewater,” Lock the Gate spokesman Pete Callender said.

“We believe the impacts and risks of the project to water resources are likely to be far greater than predicted by the NT Government.”

According to Empire’s approved Environment Management Plan, the company plans to drill six exploratory wells, clearing up to 222ha west of the Stuart Highway, from Mataranka in the north to near Elliot in the south.

It would be one of the largest projects in the NT’s onshore shale gas industry, involving 94 workers, almost 80km of wastewater pipes, 48 bores, and requiring 411 megalitres of water over more than four years.

Empire Energy said the legal challenge was "yet another attempt by activists to delay a vital industry".

"Empire’s Western Beetaloo Project has been subject to rigorous assessment by NT regulators and found to not have significant water or other environmental impacts," a spokesman said.

"Successful development of the Beetaloo Basin’s natural gas resources will deliver much needed energy to the Territory and create thousands of jobs and other economic benefits for Territorians."

Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said her government was determined to realise the full potential of the NT gas industry and “deliver economic prosperity and energy security for Territorians”.