Tighter carbon offset regulations and more consultation with local communities is recommended before fracking goes ahead in the Beetaloo Basin, a new Senate report says.
The long-awaited Senate inquiry report into oil and gas exploration in the Northern Territory's Beetaloo Basin called on federal and territory governments to create better frameworks around reducing emissions in compliance with the newly reformed safeguard mechanism.
Among the inquiry's final 14 recommendations was a call for more consultation with traditional owners and pastoralists.
"In addition to these environmental concerns, there is a deeply human element to 'unlocking' gas reserves in the Beetaloo," the report's concluding comments said.
"While certain corporations and local interests, the wider Territory, and the nation as a whole might benefit economically from gas extraction, many local communities in and around the Beetaloo are bearing, and will continue to bear, the brunt of exploration and production activities.
"The committee believes it is incumbent on development proponents to clearly identify and articulate the benefits, and ensure they are shared more broadly across the region."
The cross-party inquiry was established in June 2021.
Environmental groups, gas industry executives and pastoralists were among those who contributed to the 300-plus submissions.
The paper also recommended further inquiries be made into a proposed gas and petrochemical plant at Middle Arm in Darwin Harbour that would likely source supplies from projects in the Beetaloo.
Environmentalists say further investigation into the project is needed.
"This (additional) inquiry is desperately needed due to the murky history behind the development of Middle Arm ... and how taxpayer funds have been committed with no environmental impact statement and no cost benefit analysis," Environment Centre NT executive director Kirsty Howey said.
Nurrdalinji Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, which represents Beetaloo Basin native title holders, called for a halt to fracking exploration while the report's recommendations were implemented.
"This is an important report because it tells the story of how we never consented to the scale of fracking on our country which gas companies now want," Nurrdalinji chair Johnny Wilson said.
In an earlier submission to a separate inquiry, the corporation raised concerns about bureaucracy surrounding native title consultation.
The Senate inquiry also highlighted worries about the impact of gas exploration on groundwater and surface water resources.
"In the driest continent on Earth, this is not a trivial concern," the report said.
"It raises very serious questions concerning the sustainability of life and livelihoods in the territorial centre, as well as risking irreversible damage to the culture and identity of First Nations people."
The report comes a day after the NT government revealed decisions on fracking would be announced in coming weeks.
"We've seen plenty of proponents in the oil and gas industry talking particularly recently about their acceptance of things like the safeguard mechanism," NT Environment Minister Lauren Moss said.
"So I think that industry absolutely knows what's expected of them. They know that decisions are coming shortly."
