Onshore Shale Gas Community and Business Reference Group

The Onshore Shale Gas Community and Business Reference Group (the Reference Group):

provided direct feedback and advice to the Hydraulic Fracturing Inquiry Implementation Taskforce in the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet
was essential to ensure stakeholders had oversight and input into the development of the implementation framework and its subsequent execution.

The Reference Group held its final meeting on 8 December 2020, they:

discussed the 6 month progress update on implementation of Inquiry recommendations, for the period of 1 May to 31 October 2020 with Northern Territory Government senior officers and Dr David Ritchie in attendance
supported the view that its term would conclude on 31 December 2020 without seeking further extension. Engagement and oversight through the final stage of implementation continued directly with the Independent Officer, Dr Ritchie and through working and reference groups.

Purpose

The purpose of the Reference Group was to provide:

advice on the implementation framework and its subsequent execution to ensure that the framework aligned with community and industry expectations
a forum to share information and provide opportunities for cooperation, and collaboration with stakeholders and the community
a medium through which stakeholders communicated their views about the implementation framework and its subsequent execution directly to the NT Government.

The Reference Group members brought a diversity of skills from the:

The members were:

Mr Denys Stedman (Chair) – Buy Local Advocate
Mr Jimmy Cocking – Director, Arid Lands Environment Centre
Mr Keld Knudson – Director, NT Exploration and Onshore Environment, Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association
Ms Julie-Ann Stoll – Manager – Mining, Central Land Council
Mr Greg Bicknell – Chief Executive Officer, Chamber of Commerce
Ms Gillian Duggin – Principal Lawyer and Executive Officer, Environmental Defenders Office
Mr Geoff Crowhurst – Chair, Katherine Mining Services Association
Mayor Fay Miller – Mayor, Katherine Town Council
Prof Alan Cass – Director, Menzies School of Health Research
Mr Michael Bridge – Chairman, Tourism NT
Mr Greg McDonald – Manager Minerals and Energy, Northern Land Council
Mr Paul Burke – Chief Executive Officer, NT Farmers
Mr David Ciaravolo –Executive Officer, Amateur Fisherman’s Association of the NT
Mr Tom Stockwell – former President of the Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association
Mr Bobby Nunggumajbarr – Chairman, Yugul Mangi Development Aboriginal Corporation
Mrs Katherine Warby – Barkly Pastoralist and Business Owner.

Implementation of the recommendations required careful management and coordination.

Last Updated:

14 Dec 2023