Experts warn the NT government has ‘significant and critical gaps in the knowledge base underpinning fracking approvals’
Empire Energy's Carpentaria-1 exploration well in the Betaloo basin. Scientists have warned that the NT government’s approval of fracking in the area is not based on a full understanding of groundwater structure.Empire Energy's Carpentaria-1 exploration well in the Betaloo basin. Scientists have warned that the NT government’s approval of fracking in the area is not based on a full understanding of groundwater structure.
“Further studies are required to fill these knowledge gaps. To proceed on the current evidence base would be unwise, and may risk valuable aquifers, rivers and springs.” The authors said the government had also failed to develop a thorough profile of water quality throughout the groundwater systems. This would help establish whether there was a risk that saline water found at deeper levels, for example, could contaminate freshwater at shallow levels.
In a letter to the NT environment minister, Lauren Moss, six environment groups urged the government to put further fracking approvals and finalisation of a water allocation plan for theon hold until it addressed “16 critical knowledge gaps” identified in Currell’s report and had its baseline studies peer-reviewed.
The water trigger requires the environment minister to consider the impact of large coal and coal seam gas proposals on local water resources.
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