Environment management plan

An EMP is an activity specific plan that aims to ensure appropriate environmental management practices are implemented during the various stages of that activity.

It identifies the key environmental matters associated with an activity and provides strategies and plans for managing them effectively.

An EMP is not just an approval document. It is an implementation and management tool for the petroleum interest holder (proponent) to manage field operations. It also informs statutory compliance by the regulator to verify that environmental outcomes are being achieved.

The Department of Lands, Planning and Environment coordinate agency comments on a submitted EMP and undertake preliminary assessment of the document against the Petroleum (Environment) Regulations 2016.

An EMP is provided to the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) for consideration under the Petroleum (Environment) Regulations 2016. The NT EPA review an EMP under the Petroleum (Environment) Regulations 2016 and makes a recommendation to the minister. The minister must consider the NT EPA's recommendation before making a decision whether to approve an EMP.

The minister will consider an EMP and may approve the activity if satisfied that the objectives and approval criteria of the Petroleum (Environment) Regulations 2016 have been met. In particular, an EMP must demonstrate that all environmental impacts and risks associated with the activity are reduced to a level that is as low as reasonable practical and acceptable.

Where the proposed activities involve petroleum well drilling or hydraulic fracturing, an EMP is released for a 28 calendar day public comment period. The minister must consider these public comments when making a decision.

Information about the public comment process and how to have your say can be found in Guidance for Public Submissions on Petroleum Environment Management Plans PDF (743.7 KB).

Assessment of an EMP is coordinated by the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment. Review the EMPs currently under assessment.

An EMP where the proposed activities involve petroleum well drilling or hydraulic fracturing will be available for public comment until the listed closing date. Information about the public comment process and how to have your say can be found in Guidance for Public Submissions on Petroleum Environment Management Plans PDF (743.7 KB).

Submissions made on EMPs will be made available to the interest holder and published online.

For more information on EMPs under assessment contact Onshore Petroleum Assessments on 08 8924 4218 or email onshoregas.depws@nt.gov.au.

An Environment Management Plan (EMP) must demonstrate how environmental risks are controlled and reduced to a level that is as low as reasonably practicable and acceptable in addition to meeting the principles of ecologically sustainable development.

At the end of an assessment period, if the minister is not reasonably satisfied than an EMP meets the approval criteria, the minister must refuse to approve the EMP.

The regulations also mandate that stakeholders who are affected by the activity are properly consulted and engaged. The full contents of an EMP, with the exception of strictly in confidence information as defined by the Information Act 2002, will be made public.

View all EMP decisions

The hotline has also been established as a mechanism for the public to report potential non-compliance of the onshore gas industry in the Northern Territory, in line with recommendation 14.27 of the Hydraulic Fracturing Inquiry's Final Report.

The hotline is an avenue for the public to report incidences about industry non-compliance.

The 24 hour toll free hotline is 1800 413 889. Calls can be made anonymously.

The Petroleum (Environment) Regulations 2016 require that the minister publish incidents in accordance with Regulation 35A.

View incidents reports