Frequently asked questions

Northern territory sign at the border to south Australia. Image by Shutterstock.

Northern territory sign at the border to south Australia. Image by Shutterstock.

1.How did the Community Engagement and Information Program come about?

CSIRO was contracted independently by the Northern Territory Government to deliver the Community Engagement and Information Program, which has now concluded. The Program’s aim was to engage with Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory and provide trusted information regarding the onshore shale gas industry.

2. Can the Community Engagement and Information Program (CEIP) stop fracking?

No. This was not the scope of the Program and is a matter for Government. CSIRO and the Program were impartial about onshore shale gas development and remained independent. The Program did not advocate for or against. The Program was established to work with Aboriginal peoples and others in remote communities in investigating communication needs regarding the impacts, risks and benefits of onshore shale gas development.

3. The Northern Territory Government has already handed down the Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing Final Implementation Report. Do Aboriginal communities still need to collaborate with the Community Engagement and Information Program?

The Program independently collaborated with Aboriginal peoples and communities about information gaps and communication barriers.

Many different stakeholders talk to Aboriginal peoples and communities, and it is difficult to work out where the most accurate and trusted information can be found. CSIRO is Australia’s National Science Agency and an independent advisor. Aboriginal peoples and communities could collaborate with CSIRO in a trusted space.

Any specific queries regarding Government’s decisions regarding onshore shale gas should be directed to Northern Territory Government.

4. Was the Community Engagement and Information Program related to the Strategic Regional Environmental and Baseline Assessment (SREBA) studies?

The Program and SREBA were separately contracted pieces of work. The Program was focused on engaging with Aboriginal peoples and communities about information gaps and communication barriers regarding onshore shale gas development. A SREBA was a set of studies used to gather baseline data for a region. The SREBA for the Beetaloo Sub-basin was completed in 2022. More information is available at SREBA for the Beetaloo Sub-basin | Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security