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Australia's largest energy company has surrendered 10 out of its 11 gas tenements in Queensland's fragile channel country, but traditional owners are concerned they could still be sold to another bidder.
Key points:
- Origin Energy forfeits 10 of its 11 leases in Channel Country amid concerns over the negative impact of fracking
- Traditional owners are concerned the leases could be sold to another energy company
- The Queensland government starts a long-delayed consultation over environmental protections
Energy giant Origin Energy confirmed it had surrendered all permits, but one, to the state government in late May.
"One permit area we are seeking to surrender is still subject to a process that gives interest holders an option to acquire," a spokesperson for Origin Energy said.
In 2021, the Queensland government quietly granted the company 11 applications to explore, and eventually drill, for fossil fuels across 250,000 hectares of unique waterways and flood plains.
The move enraged traditional owner groups who said they were not consulted prior to the decision.
In a sudden turn, Origin last year announced plans to divest from all remaining gas exploration permits in the region because of what it described as "uncertain and expensive efforts" to drive the projects into production phase.
The forfeit means it is now up to the state government to decide what to do with the leases.
Wangkangurru-Yarluyandi woman Karen Monaghan welcomed the company's announcement, but said the leases should be made "null and void".
"I'd like these leases to not see the light of day again," she said.
"If that happens, we're going to go through the consultation process, the anxiety … the wellbeing of so many people that live in the Lake Eyre Basin is going to be shattered again."
Concerns over consultation period
Earlier this month, the Queensland government announced it would conduct a long-awaited regulatory impact statement for the region as part of a 2015 election promise to protect the flood plains.
Graziers, environmental groups, and traditional owners have long argued the potential negative impact fracking would have on the area's wild rivers that support both wildlife and the thriving beef industry.
The draft plan included a 12-week community consultation period and floated options for the Lake Eyre Basin including limiting new oil and gas development.
The consultation period, which ends in August, also included an option to retain the existing regulatory framework to manage resource extraction.
Koa traditional owner Pam Hegarty said the plan was due to be released in September last year, and 12 weeks was not long enough.
"We have been waiting for this statement for some time and it's been very frustrating that we haven't been able to respond properly to it," Ms Hegarty said.
"We have an obligation to the traditional owners that we represent."
'Let's not involve fracking'
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Resources said it would continue to work with Origin Energy on the last remaining lease.
As no ground works had been undertaken by the company, no remediation works were required, the spokesperson said.
"The Queensland government is committed to ensuring the protection of the Lake Eyre Basin's streams and watercourses is balanced with economic development of the region," the statement read.
"The department is not intending to release the areas surrendered by Origin during the 12-week consultation period."
Karen Monaghan said Origin's decision ultimately made them "leaders in their field".
"They're looking outside themselves … and recognising that they can do something. It's quite amazing, really," she said.
"We understand that companies and businesses have to work for a living, we can do that, let's just not involve fracking."
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