Regulatory Background: Minister’s Request for Scientific Advice
- Environment Minister, Ms. Tanya Plibersek recently wrote to the Independent Expert Scientific Committee (IESC), using powers under s.505D(2)(a) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, requesting scientific advice regarding potential impacts to water resources from gas exploration in the Beetaloo Basin.
- The IESC has accepted the Minister’s request and will provide independent scientific advice.
- The Minister and her department have made no decision on whether these activities require EPBC Act approval at this stage.
Commitment to Sustainable Water Management
Tamboran Resources Corporation Managing Director and CEO, Joel Riddle, said:
“Tamboran’s activities are subject to an Environmental Management Plan and Water Extraction License Applications approved by the Independent NT Environmental Protection Agency and the Northern Territory Environment Minister. All water use is subject to a water extraction license which ensures the volume of water used is sustainable and consistent with the NT Water Allocation Plan (WAP).
Data-Driven Confidence in Water Resource Impacts
“Tamboran’s proposed WAP represents only 5.6% of the industry allocation within this WAP, or 0.2% of the estimated sustainable yield. Tamboran is confident in our assessment that our current activities do not have a significant impact on water resources, and we welcome further confirmation from the IESC to this effect.”