13.12.2022
As the Northern Territory prepares to allocate 264 billion litres of water per year from its aquifers to facilitate fracking in the Beetaloo Basin, a new scientific report shows that its plans endanger iconic Northern Territory rivers, sacred sites, and the pastoral and tourism industries. A coalition of organisations is calling on Federal Minister Tanya Plibersek to intervene.
Sucking Territory Rivers dry: calls for intervention by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek as new report shows NT fracking water plan “endangers” iconic rivers, springs and sacred sites.
As the Northern Territory prepares to allocate 264 billion litres of water per year (half of Sydney Harbour per year) from the Cambrian Limestone Aquifer in the remote Northern Territory to facilitate fracking in the Beetaloo Basin, a new scientific report shows that its plans endanger iconic Northern Territory rivers, sacred sites, and the pastoral and tourism industries. A coalition of organisations is calling on Federal Minister Tanya Plibersek to intervene.
Following the release of a draft water allocation plan in the Beetaloo Basin (the draft Georgina/Wiso plan), 18 water academics from around Australia wrote to the Chief Minister to condemn the draft plan, and water planning in the NT generally.
Now, a new report by Dr Matthew Currell and Dr Christopher Ndehehdehe of RMIT (commissioned by the Environment Centre NT) demonstrates that the plan could “lock in negative impacts on environmental and cultural values”, including irreparably damaging the Roper River and associated springs, as well as sacred sites, the tourism industry, the recreational fishing industry, and water supply to the downstream Indigenous community of Ngukurr.
After repeated calls for the NT Chief Minister to listen to the science and delay water allocation plans, a coalition of environmental groups, Traditional Owners and tourism operators are calling on Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to intervene before it is too late, including due to the plan’s failure to comply with the National Water Initiative.
The report is written by hydrogeologists Dr Matthew Currell and Dr Christopher Ndehedehe, who were commissioned by the Environment Centre NT to undertake a review of the hydrogeology and management rules for the Cambrian Limestone Aquifer.
Download the Currell Report here.
QUOTES
Kirsty Howey, Director Environment Centre NT:
“This report demonstrates – in the strongest of terms - that the Northern Territory Government is sleepwalking into disaster, by pushing ahead with an unprecedented water allocation to comply with gas and cotton industry demands.”
“The science is now clear – these plans could endanger the Northern Territory’s iconic rivers, springs and billabongs, sacred sites, tourism, and drinking water for remote Indigenous communities.”
“Our rivers are too precious to risk, and repeated calls by communities and experts to delay the plan have been ignored by the Northern Territory Government. It’s time for Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to step in to stop this trainwreck before it’s too late.”
Des Barritt, Tourism Operator at Mataranka Hot Springs in the Roper region (“Little Roper Stock Camp”)
"The Currell report confirms the worries of many of us at Mataranka and surrounds. The lack of long-term scientific monitoring is a major concern. Incorrect decisions regarding the Georgina and Wiso basin are a threat to my home, our business and the whole tourism industry which has a longer future than the gas industry.
“We depend on that ground water, our own use, water for the town and cattle industry and for the survival of our vibrant hot springs and rainforests.
“Overuse of these basins and damage to this ecosystem will be the end for one of the Territory's iconic tourism spots.”
Johnny Wilson, Nurrdalinji Aboriginal Corporation Chair:
“The mining industry and the cotton industry mob are going to be able to take as much as they want, putting the Roper and Mataranka at risk, without consulting with us. Our water is our life. If our water is damaged, our sacred waterways, our songlines, then everything we stand for is destroyed. “The government has not properly consulted with Traditional Owners here. They talk to the gas companies, but not to us. Why are they not waiting until the baseline water studies are done.
“ We once again call on the Northern Land Council to fight for our water as our representative and given the NT government are not doing nothing, we call on the Federal government to step in and make sure the job is done properly.”
Mitch Hart – NT Manager, Pew Charitable Trusts:
"Communities are calling for governments at all levels to reset their thinking on how environmental water is managed here. When it comes to groundwater and river catchments, we need to look at these systems as a whole, and also protect our precious floodplains that feed aquifers and keep our rivers flowing. We need the NT Government to adopt the science and listen to communities on the ground who expect the government to expand their thinking on what economic opportunities exist and do much more to protect rivers and water for the long-term.
“This starts with strengthened community led protections, no extra water to be taken from these river and groundwater systems and a guarantee to Territorians that they will be protected for the future."
BACKGROUND
As a consequence of the above, the draft Georgina/Wiso plan could “lock in negative impacts on environmental and cultural values”, endanger stygofauna communities, risk water quality, and threaten the survival of groundwater dependent ecosystems.
FROM THE REPORT (full version)