The Northern Territory Government  has signed a grant agreement with CSIRO’s Gas Industry Social and Environmental Research Alliance (GISERA) to deliver independent and transparent advice on gas development in the Northern Territory.

CSIRO’s GISERA is an alliance involving the industry, the Government and the CSIRO, designed to progress research into the social, economic and environmental impacts of the onshore gas industry in the Northern Territory.

The alliance was created to provide information and research that can benefit several Australian communities which are located within onshore gas regions, as well as informing Governments and policy-makers of key research outcomes. The State Government has already contributed $450, 000 in seed funding for the alliance.

“We want the Territory to be a world-class hub for gas production, manufacturing and services by 2030, creating many hundreds of local jobs, and this alliance will help us develop a sustainable, long-term industry,” announced Chief Minister, Michael Gunner, this morning.

“GISERA will deliver independent and transparent and publically reported independent research advice to government on gas development in the Northern Territory, so Territorians can be confident in the independence and transparency in the research undertaken by CSIRO,” Mr Gunner stated.

CSIRO’s Research Director (Onshore Gas) and GISERA’s Director, Dr Damian Barrett said research is crucial in the long term to understand potential impacts from shale gas developments, allowing stakeholders such as regulators, operators and the community the ability to make informed decisions.

“GISERA has established a proven research program, governance structure and processes in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia to ensure independence, transparency and integrity. We will be taking that same approach to the research undertaken in Northern Territory,” he concluded.

The NT Government also announced three additional appointments to the Onshore Shale Gas Community and Business Reference Group:

• Mr Tom Stockwell, former President of the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association
• Mr Bobby Nunggumajbarr, Chairman, Yugul Mangi Development Aboriginal Corporation
• Mrs Katherine Warby, Barkly Pastoralist and Business Owner

Further information on CSIRO’s GISERA can be found here.