Stop Tamboran fracking: protect water now!
Fracking corporation Tamboran cannot be trusted, yet is speeding ahead with dangerous plans for 15 more fracking wells.1,2
Full-scale fracking after a string of water pollution incidents will be a disaster for Country, culture, sacred sites, the climate and water.3
But the new water trigger protections could stop Tamboran's disastrous fracking project in its tracks.4
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has the power to call in fracking projects and put them through a rigorous national assessment of the severe risk fracking poses to water.5
But it's going to take all of us ramping up the pressure for the Minister to stand with Traditional Owners, not gas industry vested interests.
Sign the petition to call on Minister Plibersek to stand with Traditional Owners and call in Tamboran's fracking project for assessment.
Full-scale fracking after a string of water pollution incidents will be a disaster for Country, culture, sacred sites, the climate and water.3
But the new water trigger protections could stop Tamboran's disastrous fracking project in its tracks.4
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has the power to call in fracking projects and put them through a rigorous national assessment of the severe risk fracking poses to water.5
But it's going to take all of us ramping up the pressure for the Minister to stand with Traditional Owners, not gas industry vested interests.
Sign the petition to call on Minister Plibersek to stand with Traditional Owners and call in Tamboran's fracking project for assessment.
The water trigger is a law within the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act that requires any large coal mining or coal seam gas project that may have significant impact on water resources to be referred to the regulator for assessment.6
The new law now applies to shale or tight gas projects as well. As the Beetaloo Basin is a shale gas field, water impacts of fracking now require national environmental assessment.7
The new water protection law puts fracking corporations through a rigorous national assessment of the severe risk fracking poses to water. 8 Under the new law, Tamboran or the Northern Territory Government should refer their pilot fracking projects to the federal Environment Minister for review and approval.9
But the new NT Chief Minister, Eva Lawler, has shown her full-throated support for fracking in the NT.10 And Tamboran clearly does not care about water – the gas corporation was fined for spraying more than 300,000 litres of toxic waste water outside the fracking site for dust suppression.11
It's up to the Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to use her new powers to call in Tamboran's fracking projects for urgent review of their impacts on water.12
The new law now applies to shale or tight gas projects as well. As the Beetaloo Basin is a shale gas field, water impacts of fracking now require national environmental assessment.7
The new water protection law puts fracking corporations through a rigorous national assessment of the severe risk fracking poses to water. 8 Under the new law, Tamboran or the Northern Territory Government should refer their pilot fracking projects to the federal Environment Minister for review and approval.9
But the new NT Chief Minister, Eva Lawler, has shown her full-throated support for fracking in the NT.10 And Tamboran clearly does not care about water – the gas corporation was fined for spraying more than 300,000 litres of toxic waste water outside the fracking site for dust suppression.11
It's up to the Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to use her new powers to call in Tamboran's fracking projects for urgent review of their impacts on water.12
Fracking pollutes groundwater and waterways, threatening safe water supply, and sacred connections to Country and culture.13
Right now, Tamboran is storing toxic fracking waste water in open ponds at risk of flooding during the wet season.14 During this year's the wet season, hundreds of dead fish washed up downstream from multiple fracking sites, with heavy metal detected through water testing.15
This is just the latest in a string of pollution incidents. Last year Tamboran was fined $6,500 after workers blew the whistle on the fracking corporation for spraying contaminated toxic drill waste water for 5 days - risking the health of workers, Country and pastoral land.16
It's clear Tamboran cannot be trusted with water.
The Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has the power to call in Tamboran's dangerous fracking projects to assess the water impacts – but still hasn't acted.
Right now, Tamboran is storing toxic fracking waste water in open ponds at risk of flooding during the wet season.14 During this year's the wet season, hundreds of dead fish washed up downstream from multiple fracking sites, with heavy metal detected through water testing.15
This is just the latest in a string of pollution incidents. Last year Tamboran was fined $6,500 after workers blew the whistle on the fracking corporation for spraying contaminated toxic drill waste water for 5 days - risking the health of workers, Country and pastoral land.16
It's clear Tamboran cannot be trusted with water.
The Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has the power to call in Tamboran's dangerous fracking projects to assess the water impacts – but still hasn't acted.
For over a decade Traditional Owners have staunchly fought to stop fracking and protect water in the NT, backed by GetUp members across the Country – and together we won crucial water protections against fracking last year.
From rallies, powerful statements at inquiries, outside corporations AGMs, in the news headlines, to thousands of emails and phone calls to Minister Plibersek's office – and a 50,000 strong petition – we had to fight to win water protections.
This is just the start as we stand with Traditional Owners and work alongside our movement partners to build the pressure on Minister Plibersek to use her new powers to protect water from fracking.
Will you add your name?
From rallies, powerful statements at inquiries, outside corporations AGMs, in the news headlines, to thousands of emails and phone calls to Minister Plibersek's office – and a 50,000 strong petition – we had to fight to win water protections.
This is just the start as we stand with Traditional Owners and work alongside our movement partners to build the pressure on Minister Plibersek to use her new powers to protect water from fracking.
Will you add your name?
[1] Tamboran records better-than-expected fracking results at Beetaloo, Financial Review, 26 February 2024.
[2] Beetaloo is now a proven gas powerhouse, Tamboran says as it readies expansion, The Australian, 26 February 2024.
[3] Gas industry peak body tells Beetaloo Basin Senate inquiry fracking cannot happen without consent from traditional owners, ABC News, 23 March 2022.
[4] Labor and Greens strike deal to establish nature repair scheme, The Guardian, 5 December 2023.
[5] The bill that could stop fracking at Beetaloo Basin, The Saturday Paper, 9 December 2023.
[6] Updated water trigger in our environmental law, Australian Government, Department of climate change, energy, the environment and water, 20 December 2023. [7] See reference 6.
[8] [3] Labor and Greens strike deal to establish nature repair scheme, The Guardian, 5 December 2023.
[9] See reference 6.
[10] NT government's 'absolute' support for gas industry tops agenda as Chief Minister Eva Lawler plans for Japan, NT News, 21 January 2024.
[11] See reference 5.
[12] See reference 5.
[13] Gas industry peak body tells Beetaloo Basin Senate inquiry fracking cannot happen without consent from traditional owners, ABC News, 23 March 2022.
[14] Hundreds of dead fish and a four day delay: Beetaloo fish kill exposes inability of NT Government to respond to environmental incidents, Media Release: Lock the Gate Alliance, 4 February 2024.
[15] Speed of NT government response criticised after fish kill in Newcastle Waters waterway, ABC News, 4 February 2024.
[16] Contractors allege Tamboran Resources kept spraying contaminated Beetaloo water for up to five days, ABC News, 24 August 2023.
[2] Beetaloo is now a proven gas powerhouse, Tamboran says as it readies expansion, The Australian, 26 February 2024.
[3] Gas industry peak body tells Beetaloo Basin Senate inquiry fracking cannot happen without consent from traditional owners, ABC News, 23 March 2022.
[4] Labor and Greens strike deal to establish nature repair scheme, The Guardian, 5 December 2023.
[5] The bill that could stop fracking at Beetaloo Basin, The Saturday Paper, 9 December 2023.
[6] Updated water trigger in our environmental law, Australian Government, Department of climate change, energy, the environment and water, 20 December 2023. [7] See reference 6.
[8] [3] Labor and Greens strike deal to establish nature repair scheme, The Guardian, 5 December 2023.
[9] See reference 6.
[10] NT government's 'absolute' support for gas industry tops agenda as Chief Minister Eva Lawler plans for Japan, NT News, 21 January 2024.
[11] See reference 5.
[12] See reference 5.
[13] Gas industry peak body tells Beetaloo Basin Senate inquiry fracking cannot happen without consent from traditional owners, ABC News, 23 March 2022.
[14] Hundreds of dead fish and a four day delay: Beetaloo fish kill exposes inability of NT Government to respond to environmental incidents, Media Release: Lock the Gate Alliance, 4 February 2024.
[15] Speed of NT government response criticised after fish kill in Newcastle Waters waterway, ABC News, 4 February 2024.
[16] Contractors allege Tamboran Resources kept spraying contaminated Beetaloo water for up to five days, ABC News, 24 August 2023.
MINISTER PLIBERSEK: USE THE WATER TRIGGER
Dear Minister Tanya Plibersek,
Thank you for expanding the ‘water trigger’ within the Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999 so that it also covers shale and tight gas fracking.
With massive new fracking projects currently being considered in the Northern Territory, there is an urgent need for you to implement the water trigger now and formally assess these projects for their impact on water resources under the EPBC act.
Specifically, we’re asking you to call in Tamboran’s Shenandoah and Amungee fracking proposals, so that the severe risk they pose to NT water resources is properly assessed by independent experts before a decision is made on whether they can proceed.
In taking action, I agree to GetUp's Privacy Policy.