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❓ Question on Notice regarding petroleum exploration permit applications, native title, and potential fracking activities in WA. The response details the application stages, title holders, native title status, and consultation progress.

AnsweredQoN 233Legislative Council

Asked

13 August 2013

Member

Hon Robin Chapple

Portfolio

Mines and Petroleum

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to Exploration Permit Applications in relation to STP-EPA-0004, STP-EPA-0005, STP-EPA-0030 and STP-EPA-0072, and I ask: (a) what is the stage of each of these applications; (b) who are the holders/applicants of each of these tenements; (c) is this a Native Title determined area; (d) if yes to (c), what is the group identified in that determination; (e) have the companies identified in (b) had discussions with the Native Title parties about access to these lands; (f) what is the identified purpose of each of these leases; (g) if drilling is to occur as part of this exploration, what is the anticipated depth of drilling; (h) are there any proposals to use fraccing as part of the exploration process; (i) if commercial quantities of condensate or gas are found, will fraccing be used to extract the commodity; (j) if yes to (h) or (i), has the Native Title PBC been advised of this; (k) if yes to (h) or (i), have the Native Title members been advised of this; (l) has the Native Title Prescribed Bodies Coporate, or its members, been advised of the risks associated with the process of fraccing; (m) if no to (l), why not; (n) are any of the areas of these leases covered by federal jurisdiction in relation to the national estate; (o) if yes to (n), which areas; (p) if yes to (n), has the relevant federal authority been informed by either the state or the proponents of these proposals; (q) if yes to (p), when; and (r) if no to (p), then why not?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

15 October 2013

Responded by

Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Mines and Petroleum

Response time

63 days

The Department of Mines and Petroleum advises:
(a) These applications are in the Right To Negotiate future act process of the
Native Title Act 1993
(Clth).
(b) STP-EPA-0004 (also known as 17/08-9 EP) - Merlin West Pty Ltd, STP-EPA-0005 (also known as 18/08-9 EP) - Merlin West Pty Ltd, STP-EPA-0030 - Pangaea Resources Pty Ltd, STP-EPA-0072 - Merlin West Pty Ltd.
(c) Yes
(d) STP-EPA-0004 - People of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands (WAD6004/2004), STP-EPA-0005 - People of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands (WAD6004/2004), STP-EPA-0030 - Tjurabalan People (WAD160/1997) [Registered native title claims, Jaru (WAD45/2012) and Yi-Martuwarra Ngurrara (WAD25/2012) also encroach this application area], STP-EPA-0072 - Kiwirrkurra People (WAD6019/1998) and People of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands (WAD6004/2004).
(e) STP-EPA-0004 - Negotiations commenced 14 May 2010, STP-EPA-0005 - Negotiations commenced 14 May 2010, STP-EPA-0030 - Negotiations commenced 18 June 2012, STP-EPA-0072 - Negotiations commenced 17 May 2013.
(f) Petroleum exploration.
(g) The anticipated depth of drilling will be apparent when the company applies for approval to drill a petroleum well.
(h) - (i)
No, the title holders have not yet applied to DMP for approval any proposed petroleum activity. A separate application is required from a title holder for approval to undertake hydraulic fracturing.
(j) - (m)
Not applicable
(n) Yes
(o) The petroleum exploration permit application STP-EPA-0072 encroaches Crown Reserve 17614, which forms part of the National Estate. Crown Reserves 17614 and 24923 are both Class A Reserves and are vested under Statute to the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority. Reserve 17614 is currently leased to Ngaanyatjarra (Land Council) Aboriginal Corporation as GEI798552.
(p) - (r)
The state through DMP has not yet contacted the relevant Federal authority as this normally occurs when an agreement between the proponent and the native title parties are close to an agreement. DMP is not aware of any proponent action on this

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