Building trust through transparency
The principles of engagement, transparency and accountability guided the approach to implementing the Inquiry recommendations. Working closely with all stakeholders, the Northern Territory Government agencies responsible for policy and regulation ensured that accurate, reliable, and timely information was communicated, engagement was genuine, and feedback was valued and considered.
Quality engagement
NT Government worked closely with and involved stakeholders at policy, program and project level throughout the implementation of the recommendations. This approach ensured that the needs of all stakeholders were understood to achieve the best outcome that directly benefits Territorians and protects our unique environment.
As NT Government embarked on reform, engagement remained inclusive, using online feedback options and face-to-face meetings with community, business, industry, land councils and local government. Expert peer reviews helped to refine and improve guidance materials.
Better access to information
To ensure transparency of gas companies’ activities and impacts on community or environment, the NT Government developed a new online portal as the central point for data on industry activity and environmental, social, health and cultural baselines and impacts. The portal receives and publishes real-time data. Information is accessible to stakeholders and communities in the Northern Territory, and appropriate governance arrangements are in place to protect confidentiality and individual privacy.
Culturally appropriate interpreter services are to be used when consulting with Aboriginal people with a first language other than English.
Decisions in the spotlight
The community has the opportunity to comment on hydraulic fracturing environment management plans (EMPs) before decisions are made.
To improve the rigour of decision making through transparency and accountability, members of the community are able to see more clearly how decisions are made. The rationale for decisions, monitoring data and hydraulic fracturing EMPs are published.
The NT government adopted statutory processes to increase decision makers’ accountability, enabling people who are affected, directly or indirectly, by decisions concerning any gas development to challenge those decisions.
Real-time monitoring and compliance
Finally, the NT Government is committed to a regulatory regime that drives accountable behaviours. Industry will be regulated and compliance monitored with results published online, on a continuous basis.