Beetaloo Basin Fracking Progresses, First Nations Dig In For Long fight
In the heart of the Northern Territory’s Beetaloo Basin, where vast landscapes carry the whispers of thousands of years of Indigenous history, a battle is unfolding. The Nurrdalinji Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, representing the native title holders of this culturally rich and environmentally sensitive region, has taken a stand against the looming threat of widespread fracking.
Their concerns have intensified with the release of the draft Territory Coordinator Bill, a piece of legislation they believe could bypass crucial environmental safeguards in favor of gas industry profits.
Djingili elder and Chair of Nurrdalinji, Samuel Janama Sandy, expressed his community’s alarm.
“Our lawyers will take a close look at this new Territory Coordinator Bill, but we’re already suspicious of it. The Territory has ancient history and a unique way of life that we shouldn’t throw away because the gas industry is in a rush to try to squeeze some money out of our country,” he said.
His words echo the sentiments of many Traditional Owners, who see their cultural heritage, sacred sites, and the fragile ecosystem under siege.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro described the Territory Coordinator as an independent statutory officer tasked with streamlining project coordination and boosting the Territory’s economic competitiveness. Mrs Finocchiaro announced long-term Territorian Stuart Knowles as the interim Territory Coordinator.
Knowles previously worked with the Department of the Chief Minister before joining Inpex in 2014 as compliance approvals manager, eventually rising to the top role as the Japanese oil and gas giant intensified its decarbonisation efforts. He also serves as a director of the influential Chamber of Commerce Northern Territory.
“Territorians have given us the job to deliver change for the better and this economic reform will enable the Territory to focus on our key economic strengths in mining, energy, agriculture, tourism and defence as we rebuild the Territory’s economy,” she said.
Fracking and the Beetaloo Basin
The Beetaloo Basin, situated approximately 500 kilometers southeast of Darwin, is a sprawling sub-basin of pastoral leases, Aboriginal lands, and remote communities. Over recent years, gas companies such as Empire Energy and Tamboran Resources have ramped up exploration efforts, seeking to exploit Northern Territory’s vast reserves of shale gas through hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.
This process involves injecting a mix of water, sand, and chemicals into the ground to release trapped gas. While lucrative for companies, fracking poses significant risks to water resources, soil integrity, and air quality.
For the Aboriginal communities and pastoralists of the Beetaloo Basin, the stakes are incredibly high. The area is home to unique ecosystems, such as Lake Woods and Longreach Waterhole near Elliott and Marlinja, which support diverse wildlife and hold deep spiritual significance for Traditional Owners. These natural treasures could face irreparable harm if fracking operations expand.
“We invite the new interim Territory Coordinator, Mr. Knowles, to drive the 530 kilometers from Darwin to the Beetaloo Basin to visit our beautiful country,” said Samuel Janama Sandy.
“He can sleep under the stars and visit Indigenous communities, as well as the hard-working cattle stations where Empire and Tamboran have already created problems with their gas exploration.”
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Environmental and Cultural Concerns
Nurrdalinji has consistently voiced concerns about the potential damage from fracking. These include contamination of water supplies, particularly in remote areas where water is scarce and vital to both human communities and cattle stations.
The interconnectedness of land and water is fundamental to Indigenous cultural practices, making any threat to these resources a direct assault on their way of life.
Fracking activities disturb the soil and vegetation, threatening endemic flora and fauna.
The risk extends to sacred sites, some of which are not formally documented but remain crucial to Indigenous spiritual practices.
The possibility of irreversible damage to these places is a deep source of pain for Traditional Owners, who see themselves as custodians of the land for future generations.
The Draft Territory Coordinator Bill
The draft Territory Coordinator Bill, released for consultation in October, has heightened tensions. Critics argue that the Bill seeks to create a streamlined pathway for resource companies by circumventing environmental laws.
Such a move would effectively sideline Indigenous voices in decision-making processes, further eroding their ability to protect their lands and heritage.
While the Northern Territory government touts the Bill as a means of boosting economic growth, Aboriginal groups like Nurrdalinji see it as a direct attack on their rights. The lack of meaningful consultation with Traditional Owners and their representative bodies only deepens their distrust of the process.
Voices of Resistance
Nurrdalinji’s resistance is part of a broader movement across Australia, where Indigenous groups and environmental activists are aligning to challenge the gas industry’s encroachment on sensitive areas.
This coalition seeks not only to protect specific regions like the Beetaloo Basin but also to push for a shift towards renewable energy sources, which are seen as more sustainable and less harmful to the environment and Indigenous communities.
Samuel Janama Sandy’s invitation to Mr. Knowles underscores the importance of direct engagement with the people most affected by these policies.
“He can see Lake Woods and Longreach Waterhole, our environment, animals, and ecosystems which have been here long before the gas companies and which will be damaged by fracking,” Sandy said.
This invitation is more than a call for a site visit; it’s an appeal for recognition and respect.
Looking Ahead
The fight for the Beetaloo Basin is far from over. Nurrdalinji and its allies are preparing to scrutinize the Territory Coordinator Bill and challenge any provisions that threaten to undermine environmental protections or Indigenous rights.
They aim to ensure that the voices of Traditional Owners are not only heard but acted upon in decisions that will shape the future of their country.
As the gas industry pushes forward with exploration and extraction, the world watches. The outcome of this struggle will not only determine the fate of the Beetaloo Basin but also set a precedent for how Australia balances economic development with its commitments to Indigenous peoples and environmental stewardship.
For the Traditional Owners of the Beetaloo, the fight is about more than gas; it’s about preserving a way of life and protecting a land that holds the stories of countless generations.
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