Less than three weeks ago, the Northern Territory government gave the go-ahead to controversial, full-scale fracking production in the Beetaloo Basin. Last night, ABC’s 7:30 program reported Tamboran Resources, now the biggest fracking company in Beetaloo, has been involved with a number pollution incidents from one exploration drilling site, putting at risk people, stock, the environment and the sacred Newcastle Creek on Rallen’s Tanumbirini Cattle Station. The incidents are: drill water used to manage dust; a bund wall breaking spilling sediment and potentially toxic chemicals down towards a sacred waterway and what appears to be the pumping of toxic wastewater, containing heavy metals including lead, as well as barium, which is highly toxic to humans, stock, wildlife and the environment, into a cattle breeding paddock.
The following spokespeople are available:
Rallen Australia Director, Pierre Langenhoven
Mr Langenhoven can talk to the pollution incidents. Rallen is one of Australia’s largest landowners, running six NT cattle stations and over 70,000 head of renowned Brahman cattle.
“We are shocked and worried that even at its first exploration well, Tamboran’s activities are putting staff, our cattle and Newcastle Creek, a sacred waterway for Traditional Owners, at significant risk from toxic pollution.
“What we’re seeing on the ground is that fracking and cattle operations can’t coexist. Keeping our pastures and water free of contamination, and staff safe, is critical but this is difficult when faced with this industrialised and dangerous industry.
“Neither Tamboran nor the NT government informed us about these incidents. We found out through our own investigations. We’ve had to push to get any kind of government response and when we requested test results we were told we couldn’t have them.
“The NT government appears to be relying on the word of companies, without conducting its own checks and investigations or carefully checking companies‘ environmental management plans, and is not responding quickly and appropriately when serious incidents such as these take place.
“If this is exploration, we can only imagine what chaos the cattle industry will face if 6,000 of these fracking wells are drilled across the Beetaloo Basin.
Associate Prof of Environmental Science, University of Western Sydney Dr Ian Wright
Water science expert, Dr Wright can talk to his pollution investigations on the site and associated risks
“These incidents highlight the need for the Territory government to reform the environmental regulation of the onshore gas industry if they are ever going to rebuild public trust.
“This is pollution at the drilling stage only. The next stage, involving hydraulic fracking and large scale production, will potentially generate much larger volumes of contaminated water. With more drilling sites and contaminated water the environmental risks are looking enormous.
“The elevated concentration of barium in the wastewater samples collected poses significant risks to staff, cattle and the natural environment at the site. Exposure of people to barium has many potentially adverse health consequences, including cardiovascular disease, kidney disorders, metabolic, neurological and mental disorders. Barium can also accumulate in the soil and bioaccumulate in plants.”
Djingili Elder and cultural advisor to Nurrdalinji, Janet Sandy Gregory
Ms Gregory can talk for Beetaloo Basin Traditional Owners who are concerned fracking will damage country, water, sacred sites and songlines.
“This shows us once again why we do not want fracking which will poison our water, our animals and upset the songlines that run across our country.
“When I heard that Tamboran has polluted I felt my spirit and heart were breaking. I worry about the country and the future and what it’s going to hold for my family and my people.
“We want the government to take action against Tamboran. We have asked the Territory sacred sites authority to look into this because we fear for our country.”
Dr Sam Phelan, a vet and member of the Katherine group Protect Big Rivers
Dr Phelan can talk about risks to stock and regional water systems.
‘The Pepper Inquiry into Fracking was warned by experts of exactly these kinds of events happening, which is why it recommended that contaminated water should be housed in enclosed tanks.*
“This is just one of the recommendations that the NT government has decided to ignore, making a mockery of the scientific inquiry, the regulatory system and the idea that pastoral enterprises can coexist with fracking on their stations.
“Herd detention, when a cattle station can’t move or sell stock because of contamination, is a tragedy for any cattle enterprise, and that’s exactly what we will see if the industry and regulator continue to conduct themselves in this unprofessional way.”
*See Rec 7.12, see page 20 of the NT government’s implementation plan: The government will not let gas companies release chemicals or wastewater into the environment. Gas companies will be required to have wastewater management and spill plans in place, will be prevented from discharging wastewater to drainage lines, waterways, temporary stream systems or waterholes, will have to enclose all wastewater in tanks to ensure waste does not leak out during the wet season, and design well pads to ensure that surface spills cannot leak down into underlying aquifers.
A detailed background paper on the three incidents and the NT government’s response is available on request. Footage of the infrastructure enabling the Incident 3 polluting event is here, as well as of nearby Newcastle Creek which was in flood at the time. Stills here.
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