Respecting community and culture
As the Northern Territory develops and new industries establish, it is important to manage growth in a way that enhances our Territorian way of life, respecting the cultural, recreational and environmental assets we hold dear.
Embedding respect for our communities and the people that live in the Northern Territory is critical to ensure Territorians gain the greatest benefit from industry expansion, while mitigating and reducing social impacts. The Northern Territory Government will introduce Social Impact Assessment guidance to identify, manage and mitigate the impacts emerging industries can potentially have on the lives and lifestyles of Territorians. Regulatory triggers can be detected through the environmental assessment process and moderated under the Environment Protection Act 2019.
Gas companies are required to complete a Social Impact Assessment (SIA) for projects with potential for significant impact. Impacts they identify will be mitigated through a Social Impact Management Plan.
The NT Government procured independent contractors to work with traditional owners through land councils, native title holders, pastoralists and regional communities in the Beetaloo Sub-Basin to build comprehensive regional, social, health and cultural baseline information about what is important to them in their region. Information gathered ranges from recreational hotspots to health and wellbeing data. Information will be provided for open use except where information is deemed sensitive or confidential.
The baseline will inform SIAs and management plans for the development of the unconventional onshore gas industry in the Northern Territory.
Impacts need to be identified and responded to at all stages of development. This emerging industry must be culturally sensitive to the communities in which it operates and engage communities, particularly Aboriginal communities, in an informed and collaborative way without placing undue burden on them.
Final updates on Respecting Community and Culture Implementation Plan actions.