As expected, the panel, chaired by Justice Pepper has made no direct recommendation to government on whether or not to exploit the NT’s rich shale gas reserves.

Instead the panel has released a series of advice, saying if all its recommendations are adopted by government, then the risks of fracking for gas can be “mitigated” or be reduced to “an acceptable level”.

It is believe the Government will not make public its response to the report until after the Easter holidays.

“This report provides recommendations to mitigate to acceptable levels the identified risks associated with any onshore shale gas development in the NT if the Government lifts the moratorium,” Justice Pepper said.

“No industry is without risk, and any onshore shale gas industry is no exception.

“However, it is the panel’s opinion, expressed in the final report, that if all of the recommendations are implemented, the identified risks associated with any onshore shale gas industry can be mitigated or reduced to an acceptable level, and in some cases, the risks can be eliminated.”

The panel’s final report comprises three separate documents: the Final Report (Book 1); the Appendices (Book 2); and the Executive Summary (Book 3). The Final Report contains 135 recommendations.

The Final Report represents the culmination of 15 months’ of work by the Inquiry, during which time the Panel:met 12 times;held 52 community forums, including 37 in regional and remote areas, and 15 in urban centres; conducted 151 public hearings; published 31 Community Updates; and received 1257 submissions.

Justice Pepper said that while the Inquiry’s scope was broader than that of previous inquiries into unconventional gas in the Northern Territory, the Inquiry nevertheless built upon the previous bodies of work. In addition, this Inquiry had a mandate to consult widely, unlike previous inquiries and reviews.

“The Inquiry has taken its mandate to consult widely very seriously through its stakeholder engagement, live-streamed public hearings and community forums, held throughout the Territory.”

Justice Pepper said the panel has made findings and recommendations in its Final Report based on the best most recent and relevant available evidence, which included the views of the community expressed during the consultation process.

In addition to strengthening many of the recommendations made in the Draft Final Report, the Final Report includes:

In releasing the final report, Justice Pepper said it was not the role of the Inquiry to recommend whether or not the moratorium on hydraulic fracturing in the Northern Territory be lifted.

“Today the Inquiry delivered its Final Report to the Government and in doing so fulfilled its Terms of Reference. The decision whether or not to retain the ban on hydraulic fracturing in the Northern Territory is a political decision that rests with the Government alone.”

The Inquiry’s Final Report is available to download at www.frackinginquiry.nt.gov.au