Social, Cultural and Economic SREBA Studies Scope of Works awarded

The Strategic Regional Environmental and Baseline Assessment (SREBA) Social, Cultural and Economic studies were key recommendations from the Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory. It is an important piece of work that continues to be a priority for Government as implementation of remaining recommendations progresses.

Following an original open tender process carried out in mid-2020, the NT Government has recently engaged The University of Queensland (UQ) through a direct procurement process to complete the Scope of Works for the Social, Cultural and Economic Studies and Strategic Regional Assessment.

UQ has a skilled and interdisciplinary team, with highly-experienced academics who will be leading this work.  Based in QLD, UQ has committed to working together with NT-based researchers and practitioners, including within regional and remote Aboriginal communities. Likewise, many of the team members have a long history of applied inter-cultural research within the NT.  For additional accountability and to ensure this work is of the highest standard UQ will establish an Expert Advisory Panel.  UQ researchers are committed to principles of integrity, impartiality, accountability and transparency in the conduct of this work.

The UQ team has been responsible for the development of novel and leading edge approaches, frameworks and toolkits on previous and similar projects in Australia and internationally. They also have a particularly strong background in inter-cultural research and collaborative methods of working with communities and other stakeholders.

The Scope of Works will require approval by an accredited Human Research Ethics Committee, a process UQ is experienced in. This UQ ethics process ensures that the project remains independent. The final Scope of Works will be presented to the Minister for Environment for approval prior to progressing to the next procurement stage of the studies.

UQ expects the work associated with developing the Scope of Works including re-engaging with stakeholders to recommence in May 2021.