The Territory Government is creating local jobs and protecting the environment, with the development of a highly-regulated onshore gas industry taking a significant step forward today.
Amendments to petroleum legislation were passed in Parliament this evening as part of the Territory Government’s commitment to implement all 135 recommendations from the Final Report of the Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory.
The Petroleum Legislation Amendment Bill gives effect to a number of key recommendations including:
Creating provisions for open standing judicial review for decisions under the Petroleum Act and Petroleum Environment Regulations.
Ensuring gas companies as applicants must be a “fit and proper person” to hold an exploration permit or production licence.
Empowering the making of the Petroleum (Environment) Regulations and enforcing adherence to Codes of Practice.
In particular, Codes of Practice will be vital to the strong regulatory regime being implemented. Codes of Practice will relate to well integrity, well decommissioning and abandonment, methane monitoring, surface activities and managing wastewater.
Today’s amendments, along with the implementation of other recommendations from the Final Report of the Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing, will allow on-ground exploration to commence later this year.
Quotes from Minister for Primary Industry and Resources, Paul Kirby:
“Our Government is making sure that as the Territory’s onshore gas industry emerges, our unique natural environment is protected and local Territory jobs come first.
“It is important to implement appropriate safeguards – which is what our Government is doing by implementing the 135 recommendations of the independent scientific inquiry.
“Today’s amendments are a significant step forward in strengthening the laws surrounding the development of the onshore gas industry in the Northern Territory.
“A highly-regulated onshore gas industry can bring economic benefits to the Territory, creating jobs and attracting investment.”
Media Contact: Carl Pfeiffer 0417 910 720