Members of the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) held its 12th meeting in Darwin from 24 to 26 March 2015.
Dr Bill Freeland, Chair of the NT EPA, said that the members again met with Mr Jason Strong, the Managing Director of the Australian Agricultural Company (AACo) along with AACo’s Director of Environment and environmental consultant, as a follow up to the members’ previous meeting with Mr Strong in January 2015.
“The NT EPA comprehensively discussed AACo’s proposed plan for improving the quality of wastewater used for irrigation, and the impacts of odour on neighbouring residents. The members required that AACo provide an immediate, satisfactory and reasonable solution to the odour issues.
After lengthy consideration and discussion, the NT EPA issued a direction to AACo under the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act, directing them to immediately take measures to prevent offensive odours”, Dr Freeland said.
Dr Freeland said that the NT EPA will continue to closely monitor compliance with the direction and the existing environmental protection licence.
Other matters on the agenda included the independent report into fracking delivered by Dr Allan Hawke which was released by the Northern Territory Government on 26 February 2015. Members discussed the report’s findings and the government’s undertaking of community consultation on current and future proposals associated with the report’s findings.
“The NT EPA welcomes the release of the report, and fully supports the government’s engagement of Dr Hawke to review the Environmental Assessment Act and the environmental management framework. The government’s consultative approach to regulatory reform is fully endorsed”, Dr Freeland said.
Members determined to provide comment on the Department of Mines and Energy’s proposed ‘Onshore Oil and Gas Guiding Principles’, and encourages people to participate in this and future consultation on the regulatory reforms .
Routine business matters were also discussed. The next NT EPA members meeting is scheduled to be held in Darwin from 27 to 29 May 2015.