Action item 14.4

Progress

100%

Complete.
Approved by decision makers.
Recommendation implemented.

That prior to the grant of any further exploration approvals, the following areas must be declared reserved blocks under section 9 of the Petroleum Act, each with an appropriate buffer zone:

  • areas of high tourism value;
  • towns and residential areas (including areas that have assets of strategic importance to nearby residential areas);
  • national parks;
  • conservation reserves;
  • areas of high ecological value;
  • areas of cultural significance; and
  • Indigenous Protected Areas.
Target completion date

Completed.

Reform area
Planning for industry
Project action
Defining areas, processing and mechanisms for no-go areas
Lead agency
Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade

Action item update

Implementation

The Northern Territory Government’s Reserved Block Policy was finalised in July 2019 in accordance with the recommendation, following community consultation.

There will be a staged approach to declaring reserved blocks under s9 of the Petroleum Act 1984. Petroleum reserved blocks and maps of the areas are on the Northern Territory Government website.