Environmentalists say the planned expansion of fracking operations in the Beetaloo Basin increases the need for water samples to be taken quickly after incidents are reported. (James Elton)

Word first emerged about the discovery of dead fish in the small community of Marlinja, south of Katherine, on January 15.

Traditional Owners comment on today’s coverage of the NT government’s failure to respond to water quality risks from flooding across the Beetaloo Basin and, in particular, a fish kill incident at Marlinja. The ABC reports it took 4 days for officials to assess the site.

Last week the Federal Government passed a bill to expand the water trigger to include fracking projects.

The move means any unconventional gas projects will need to be approved by an independent body before they go ahead.

Traditional Owners from Nurrdalinji Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, working to protect country from fracking in the Beetaloo Basin, today welcomed greater scrutiny of gas companies' water use, with the Federal government introducing amendments to expand the ‘water trigger’ to cover fracking, in line with recommendations of the Pepper Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the NT.

The Nurrdalinji Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (“Nurrdalinji”) presents this submission to the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee Inquiry into the Middle Arm Industrial Precinct. We would welcome the opportunity to give testimony at any public hearing held as part of this Inquiry.

The latest report concludes that the proposed Beetaloo Basin project could produce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 11 per cent of Australia's 2021 emissions.

Climate Analytics says onshore emissions of proposed fracking understated by up to 84% in ‘a rosy picture that simply doesn’t reflect reality’

Beetaloo 'climate bomb' cannot be offset, inquiry told.

• Analysis released as submissions to Senate Middle Arm Inquiry close today.
• First full analysis of Tamboran’s Middle Arm greenhouse gas emissions.

The NT government green-lit fracking based on a CSIRO report. Analysis claims it 'systematically underestimated' emissions.

The NT government green-lit fracking based on a CSIRO report. Analysis claims it 'systematically underestimated' emissions.