Fracking Fury in the Beetaloo: Traditional Owners and Territorians Condemn NT Government’s Approval of Empire Energy’s Plans
In the heart of the Beetaloo Basin, a battle is brewing that pits corporate gas ambitions against the voices of the land’s Traditional Owners and concerned Territorians. The Northern Territory Government’s recent approval of Empire Energy‘s Carpentaria fracking project has sparked outrage, with Indigenous leaders and environmental advocates uniting to call for stronger federal intervention.
The Beetaloo Basin Under Threat
Empire Energy’s announcement of approval for nine new fracking wells and associated infrastructure has reignited longstanding concerns about the risks fracking poses to water, cultural heritage, and the environment.
The Beetaloo sub-basin, located roughly 500 kilometers southeast of Darwin, is a diverse landscape that encompasses Aboriginal land, pastoral leases, and remote communities. It is also home to critical aquifers and cultural sites that have sustained Indigenous families for generations.
For the Mambaliya Rrumburriya Wuyaliya Aboriginal Land Trust, the approval feels like a betrayal. Wuyaliya cultural lawman Asman Rory expressed frustration at decisions being made without proper consultation.
“Families have not decided whether to say yes or no to Empire’s latest plans to frack and sell gas from our country. It is insulting that people are making decisions on behalf of us. We have not given our consent,” Rory stated.
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Consent Ignored, Consultation Lacking
The Nurrdalinji Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, representing native title holders from the region, has staunchly opposed Empire’s Environmental Management Plan, citing inadequate consultation and disregard for Indigenous decision-making processes.
Djingili Elder Samuel Sandy, Chair of Nurrdalinji, denounced the approval process.
“Empire is wrong to try to push ahead without the consent of families. These projects are dangerous, and the companies cannot be trusted,” Sandy said.
He emphasized the need for Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to invoke the “water trigger” to assess the risks to vital groundwater resources.
Environmental Risks and Corporate History
The fracking process demands nearly a billion liters of groundwater over the four-year project lifespan, drawing from the vital Gum Ridge aquifer. Empire Energy‘s operations are expected to generate 475,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, flouting recommendations from the Pepper Inquiry, which called for fracking only if it resulted in no net increase in emissions.
Additionally, the project plans to dispose of contaminated wastewater in open ponds—a practice criticized for its potential to pollute land and waterways.
Hannah Ekin, a spokesperson for the Arid Lands Environment Centre, highlighted the dangers, stating, “Each new fracking well is doing the Territory damage, posing serious contamination risks to water that sustains towns and communities. Fracking involves mixing huge volumes of water with toxic chemicals and sand, and pushing them deep underground at high pressure. It’s a recipe for disaster.”
Empire Energy’s track record has further fueled opposition. Earlier this year, the company failed to report the discovery of ancient stone tools near one of its wells to the heritage regulator, raising questions about its commitment to cultural preservation.
Calls for Federal Intervention
The Finocchiaro Government’s approach to fracking has drawn sharp criticism, with many accusing it of prioritizing gas industry interests over the well-being of its constituents. Critics warn that the creation of a “Territory Coordinator” role to streamline fracking approvals could erode environmental oversight further.
“We’re calling on the Albanese Government to urgently call in this project using the Water Trigger in national environment laws so a proper independent review of the risks can be conducted,” Ekin urged.
A Long Fight Ahead
For Traditional Owners, the struggle is deeply personal. “This fracking is all about money, and money will destroy the country within the Beetaloo Basin,” said Samuel Sandy.
“We want to keep our culture and country strong. This has been a long, long battle, and we will continue to fight to stop it.”
As the federal government faces increasing pressure to step in, the question remains: Will the voices of the land’s stewards be enough to halt the fracking juggernaut, or will the Beetaloo Basin’s resources be exploited at an irreparable cost to culture, water, and the environment?
The answer could set a precedent for how Australia balances economic ambitions with environmental and cultural responsibilities.
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