Environmental regulators are in the field ensuring that the onshore gas industry is ready for the upcoming Wet Season.

We know from the Bureau of Meteorology that the wet season in the Top End could be “more severe” this year so it’s important the onshore gas industry is prepared.

When it comes to wet season preparedness the Environmental Regulator closely monitors how wastewater is managed onsite.

We ensure appropriate freeboard levels are maintained throughout the wet season. This reduces the risk of overtopping of wastewater tanks. We also require wastewater to be contained in enclosed tanks prior to any significant rainfall event.

In addition to getting regular reports from industry during the wet season about their freeboard, we also conduct onsite inspections. Inspections are crucial in confirming compliance firsthand.

Last month we undertook inspections in the Beetaloo sub-basin to ensure wet season preparedness. We were joined by our co-regulators in the Water Resources Division. In addition to wastewater management, we also inspected tanks to ensure no leaks and checked that erosion and sediment control measures were in place prior to the upcoming wet season. We observed good compliance.

Last year we undertook 27 inspections prior to and during the 2023-34 wet season and we will be going out again this wet season.

Inspections are challenging for regulators during the wet season because access to site is sometimes cut off by flooding. In the past we have done flyovers in helicopters to ensure we’re monitoring compliance when the risks of wastewater tanks overtopping are highest.

We are committed to being a risk-based and targeted regulator and focussing on activities that have the highest risks. You can read more about our approach to regulation on the NTEPA website.

We have also published a regulatory statement to clearly communicate how we regulate wastewater during the wet season.

Source: Department of Lands, Planning and Environment