Tiwi Islanders seek urgent stop on Santos’ Barossa offshore drilling

A Tiwi Islands Elder will seek an injunction to stop Santos’ drilling work in the Timor Sea amid concerns the company could push ahead before a court challenge to the project is heard.

A TIWI Islands Elder will seek an injunction to stop Santos’ drilling work in the Timor Sea amid concerns the company could push ahead before a court challenge to the project is heard.

Last month, Munupi senior lawman Dennis Tipakalippa launched a Federal Court challenge in a bid to set aside approvals for the company’s Barossa offshore development, with the case listed for trial in August.

Now lawyers for the Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) will ask the court to order the drilling stopped until the challenge can be heard.

Mr Tipakalippa said he was taking the case to court as his community “have not been properly consulted about what is happening to our sea country”.

“We are worried to hear about drilling going ahead soon, before the court has decided,” he said.

“That is why we want this injunction, to protect our sea country and our culture until the court decides what is right.”

“We have cared for this sea country for millennia. Once those holes are drilled into the ocean floor, that cannot be undone.

“For that to happen when Santos has not consulted with us would be devastating to our culture and a huge betrayal.”

Dennis Tipakalippa has taken Santos to court over its Barossa offshore project.

EDO special counsel Alina Leikin called on Santos to “respect Tiwi people and wait until a decision is made about the validity of the drilling approval”.

“Tiwi people have a spiritual obligation to protect their sea country and there are serious spiritual and cultural ramifications for Tiwi people if the drilling starts,” she said.

“There is a cloud of uncertainty surrounding the Barossa drilling plans, with a case before the Federal Court.”

Jason Fowler, a marine scientist an energy campaigner with the Environment Centre NT, said the ECNT had satellite imagery of “the drilling rig moving closer and closer to the Barossa site”.

“We know that drilling is imminent, but proper consultation has not occurred, which is why this injunction is so important,” he said.

“The minute the Barossa drilling rig is turned on, the impacts begin. There is noise, air, water and chemical pollution, and an increase in heavy shipping traffic close to the Tiwi Islands.”

A spokeswoman for Santos said the company would “vigorously defend its position in these proceedings”.

“The Barossa development was subject to robust approvals processes by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority, including in relation to consultation obligations,” she said.

“In accordance with approvals granted for the project, Barossa is underway and proceeding to schedule. “