23 August 2022

Traditional owners on the remote Tiwi Islands have given evidence in a special on-country, beachside federal court hearing, in a bid to stop a multi-billion dollar Santos gas project in waters off Darwin from going ahead.

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Justice Mordecai Bromberg granted an application for the court to hear some evidence for the court challenge on country this week, despite objections from Santos lawyers.

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The Environment Defenders Office legal group, which is representing the traditional owners, has argued the attempts at consultation were limited to a handful of unanswered emails, which the company strongly denies.

The elders voiced their fears about potential risks from the drilling and pipeline to sea animals and spirits, including the turtle dreaming belonging to lead applicant Dennis Murphy Tipakalippa.

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In a statement, Santos said the project was "underway and proceeding to schedule" after a robust approvals process, including in relation to consultation.

"Santos has consulted with Traditional Owners on the Barossa Gas Project since 2016", the statement said.

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Santos has said it plans to minimise climate changing emissions from the project by using carbon capture and storage.