Community Update #13 - 5 July 2017
The independent Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing of Onshore Unconventional Reservoirs in the Northern Territory has opened registrations for its next round of public hearings in Darwin, Alice Springs, Katherine and Tennant Creek, which will take place between 31 July to 10 August 2017.
The Inquiry Chair, Justice Rachel Pepper, said the hearings are an opportunity to provide additional information or evidence to the Inquiry and provide feedback on its Interim Report, which is due to be released next week.
“Public hearings are an integral part of the Inquiry’s community consultation and evidence gathering process,” Justice Pepper said.
“The first stage of hearings and consultation in March 2017 focused on identifying the risks and issues of hydraulic fracturing for shale gas in the Northern Territory. Now, the Inquiry is in the process of assessing these risks.
“The Interim Report makes some preliminary assessments, however in most cases, the Panel’s interim assessment is that more information is required before the risks and any possible mitigation options can be fully assessed.
“To assist with this process, the Inquiry welcomes organisations, stakeholder groups and members of the public to present new information or evidence to the Panel.”
Justice Pepper said participants at this round of hearings will have the option of 30 or 60 minute time allocations to present and respond to questions from the Inquiry.
“Longer hearing times will offer an opportunity for presenters, if they wish, to provide additional detail and to enable a more rigorous examination of the evidence by the Panel,” Justice Pepper said.
The public hearing schedule is:
| 31 July 2017 | Darwin Hearing | Darwin Convention Centre |
| 1 August 2017 | Darwin Hearing | Darwin Convention Centre |
| 2 August 2017 | Darwin Hearing | Darwin Convention Centre |
| 3 August 2017 | Alice Springs Hearing | Alice Springs Convention Centre |
| 4 August 2017 | Alice Springs Hearing | Alice Springs Convention Centre |
| 8 August 2017 | Katherine Hearing | Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre |
| 9 August 2017 | Katherine Hearing | Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre |
| 10 August 2017 | Tennant Creek Hearing | Tennant Creek Civic Hall |
For more information and to register visit the public hearings page. Registration is open until midnight 19 July 2017.
Following the hearings, from 22 August to 1 September 2017 the Inquiry will also conduct a second round of consultations in towns and communities throughout the Northern Territory, details of which will be released closer to that time.
The Inquiry’s Interim Report is expected to be released next week. The Inquiry’s draft Final Report will be released towards the end of the year, and the Final Report delivered by the end of 2017.