An important amendment to our national environment laws passed the Federal Parliament yesterday in a historic victory for the Northern Territory.
The new laws update the ‘water trigger’ under Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) (the most important legislation that protects the environment in Australia), so new unconventional gas projects, like shale gas fracking, will be assessed by the Independent Expert Scientific Committee for their impact on water resources.
Community groups and Traditional Owners say the expansion of the water trigger will add a much-needed layer of additional scrutiny and transparency on the numerous fracking projects planned for the Northern Territory’s Barkly and Roper-Gulf regions, WA’s Kimberley, and Queensland’s Lake Eyre Basin.
Mudburra Elder Ray Dimakarri Dixon from Marlinja Community north of Elliott said they have been standing up for water and the environment for a long time.
“We are doing this for our country, our past leaders and future generations,” he said.
“This is the biggest thing in my life. Water keeps our language, our culture, and our identity strong.
“It connects all Indigenous people. We want to thank all environmental groups for their support.
“We also want to thank the Greens, the Independent cross bench, and Federal Labor for helping us protect our water and country from these fracking giants.
“The fight hasn’t gone away but I feel emotional and happy in my spirit. Our young people can learn from this moment.”
At the last election, Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour promised to fight for these changes to the EPBC Act to better protect NT water resources.
She is pleased her commitment has now been delivered.
“This is a commonsense change, providing businesses with certainty and the community with confidence that water resources and our environment are properly regulated and protected,” she said.
“Water is sacred. Nothing is more important to people and communities than proper protection and regulation of our precious environment and water.
“I made a commitment to the people of the Northern Territory at the last Federal Election that an Albanese Labor Government would pass new laws protecting our water and I’m very proud to have delivered that.
“The amendments to the EPBC Act mean unconventional gas projects, such as fracking to extract shale gas, will not be approved unless proponents can demonstrate the sustainability of water usage.”
“I am a big supporter of job creation and new industries, but not if they put at risk our water supply and our environment because that’s what sustains us.”
This article appeared in Tennant & District Times, 8 December 2023.
