Santos has been ordered to stop drilling at its $6.3 billion Barossa gas project after the Federal Court found the ASX-listed energy heavyweight had failed to properly consult the people of the Tiwi Islands.
The Federal Court backed Tiwi Islander Dennis Tipakallipa’s claim that Santos did not properly consult with his people.Dennis Tipakalippa, a senior lawman of the Tiwi Islands, sued NOPSEMA alleging his Munupi Clan had not been properly consulted before the regulator approved Santos’ plan to drill up to eight gas wells about 120 km north of the islands.
Bromberg said in the summary of his decision that Tipakalippa and other traditional owners had asserted their rights to the area being drilled 140km north of the Tiwi Islands based on longstanding spiritual connections and traditional hunting and gathering activities conducted by them and their ancestors.
“This is a huge victory for the Munupi Clan and a testament to their strength and dedication in the face of one of the biggest mining companies in the country.”Santos and its partners - JERA of Japan and Korean group SK - committed to the Barossa gas project in early 2021. They planned to spend $US3.6 billion to drill the gas field and build a floating gas processing plant and a 260 km long pipeline to an existing pipeline to Darwin.
Santos said drilling could recommence after approval of a fresh environment plan by NOPSEMA or a favourable appeal outcome by the Full Federal Court. The company will apply for leave to appeal.
ElaineEDO PeteMilne4 💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💪🏾💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚💚
PeteMilne4 What? You mean they were denied informed consent? Sounds familiar.
PeteMilne4 Forget the Tiwi islands, amend the route and or the destination port.
PeteMilne4 Didn’t they offer you enough money.
PeteMilne4 Thank you for putting a name to the face of the future of black outs and preventable deaths. Dennis Tipakalippa.