Action item 11.6
Progress
Complete.
Approved by decision makers.
Recommendation implemented.
That in collaboration with the Government, Land Councils and AAPA, an independent, third-party designs and implements an information program to ensure that reliable, accessible, trusted and accurate information about any onshore shale gas industry is effectively communicated to all Aboriginal people who will be affected by any onshore shale gas industry. That the program be funded by the gas industry.
Completed
Action item update
Implementation
In 2020 and 2021, through the Aboriginal Information Program, CSIRO worked collaboratively with Land Councils to identify information requirements and developed factsheets with clear, factual and relevant content for translation into languages of local Aboriginal communities potentially affected by shale gas development and hydraulic fracturing.
The Aboriginal Interpreter Service (AIS), in consultation with CSIRO, used the information in these factsheets to create audio scripts and has translated these into the 17 languages AIS was able to offer translation services for.
Translated audio files about groundwater, methane and shale gas are now publically available on the Onshore Gas website to use when engaging with Aboriginal people regarding shale gas development and hydraulic fracturing in the Territory. In addition to the factsheets already produced, the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet worked with CSIRO to design the Community Engagement and Information Program, which aims to provide the broader Aboriginal community with accurate, trusted, and accessible information so that they can make informed decisions.
The Northern Territory Government signed a 5-year agreement with CSIRO in December 2021, to deliver the Community Engagement and Information Program face-to-face through a full-time dedicated position based in the Northern Territory.
CSIRO appointed a Project Director to lead the Community Engagement and Information Program in April 2022, based in Darwin in the Indigenous Science and Knowledge team within CSIRO’s Land and Water Business Unit. The team conducts a range of research with Indigenous co-research partners to address the challenges and harness future opportunities to support Indigenous leaders and their research and innovation agendas.
In addition to the factsheets already produced, the ongoing Community Engagement and Information Program will engage with Aboriginal people, identify information gaps and develop information materials as required by stakeholders. The Program includes an ethics clearance process, communication planning and regular reviews to ensure appropriate and effective delivery.