Northern Territory (Australia) Fracking Implementation Plan: a policy review

Please read carefully the doc file and the powerpoint slides

Follow the task- helpful for structure. But main topic is in the PowerPoint presentation slide..

Assessment Item 3

Description/Focus:

Policy case study ─ CRITICAL REVIEW

Value:

50%

Due date:

26th may

Length:

3500 Words

References

APA (20+)

Task:

Consider a policy you would like to see implemented or which currently exists. As you work on the review, you should consider the key questions you have been answering for each case study which are 1) describing the imperative and purpose of the policy, 2) the development of the policy, 3) the implementation and 4) the monitoring and evaluation of the policy. Use the life cycle analysis outlined in Chapters 4-8 in the textbook to help frame and conduct your review.

Preparation:

Consider the following elements when developing your cases study review:

Introduction

1. Description of the environmental problem and other social concerns that are being addressed by the policy (i.e. the policy goals).

2. Describe the interaction between different levels of stakeholders in the policy – i.e. responsible parties and those affected by the policy

3. Describe the aim of your critical review.

Review and analysis of the chosen policy

4. Discuss how the policy was developed; give the history

5. Describe and discuss factors that have influenced the implementation of the policy

6. Describe and discuss the impacts of the policy. Are these intended?

7. Investigate the intended monitoring and evaluation of the policy.

8. How can the policy be improved? For whom and why?

Prepare your review with reference to appropriate policy, technical and scientific literature.

Write with a specific reader or audience in mind.

Specifically state the aim of your review.

Presentation:

Your review should be in a research report format, which includes a table of contents and a well-structured heading system, and correctly and consistently formatted reference list, as you would present a review report in a professional setting. Include appropriate tables, figures.

· Identify the audience for your document (not the lecturers)

Assessment criteria:

Presentation (15%)

1. Does the review neatly present the required information in the appropriate length? (3 marks)

2. Is the written expression concise and clear, and free of spelling and grammatical errors? (3 marks)

3. Are references included and correctly cited and listed? (6 marks)

4. Are figures, tables formatted neatly with a numbered title? (3 marks)

Development of ideas, arguments and organisation of text (15%)

5. Are individual paragraphs well-structured, to include an opening sentence stating the key point of the paragraph, with the body of the paragraph presenting evidence to support, further elaborate on or critique that key point? (5 marks)

6. Is there logical and clear presentation of ideas in a well-structured paragraph sequence? (5 marks)

7. Have appropriate headings been used to clearly outline the report structure for the reader, and to guide the reader through the ideas arguments or rationale of the report? (5 marks)

Introduction and context (20%)

8. Does the introduction adequately explain the context of the review topic, specifically the definition of selected policy(ies), the reason these are needed (so what is the problem that needs to be solved through this policy?); any historical aspects of the policy (how has it evolved?). (10 marks)

9. Are the aims of the review clearly stated (10 marks)

Analysis of the case study policy (50%)

10. Are factors affecting policy framing explained? (10 marks)

11. Are factors that influenced the implementation identified and critically discussed? (10 marks)

12. Is there critical discussion of the success of the policy and how its effectiveness was/is measured? (10 marks)

13. Are recommendations for policy review proposed? (10 marks)

14. Is the text sufficiently supported by reference to the literature? (10 marks)

Report structure as follows

Table of content

List of figure

List of Tables

Chapter: Introduction (250-300 words)

Chapter: Background of fracking

· What is fracking (150 words)

· History of Fracking (200 word)

· Pros and cons (150 -200 words)

· Global uses of fracking

· Australian Fracking History

· Northern Territory Fracking History (Focus on this paragraph): detailed history of the development of fracking and policy and responses in the NT (use a timeline or a table to summarize developments)

Chapter: Problem Framing (Northern Territory context)

…. Please follow the powerpoint presentation

· Add a compensation plan

· Environmental recovery requires

· Safety and precaution measurement

· Impact assessment

· Community engagement (provide education training and information about fracking)

Policy Framing (Northern Territory context)

… Please focus on the Fracking Implementation Plan in Northern Territory

…. Please follow the powerpoint presentation

Policy Implementation (including who are stake holders and their role)

Monitoring and Evaluation

Conclusion

References

To get some help

https://www.claytonutz.com/knowledge/2019/august/the-nt-opens-the-door-to-onshore-gas-exploration-drilling-and-fracking

https://www.protectcountrynt.org.au/

https://hydraulicfracturing.nt.gov.au/

and the Plan https://cmsexternal.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/673123/fracking_implementation_plan

Northern Territory Fracking Implementation Plan: a policy review

Contents
Introduction
Background of fracking
Evaluation of Plan
Problem Framing
Policy Framing
Policy Implementation
Monitoring and Evaluation
Policy Implementation for Stakeholder
References

Introduction
Coal seam gas (CSG) is the major contributor for future fuel demand. New emerging technology called fracking is way for exploring new era of petroleum resources.
Better and cheaper than conventional method
Methods are clear but chemicals are used are still not well documented.
Fracking not only related to petroleum industry but also related to Water resource, ecology including marine ecology, health sector, air quality, and agricultural sector
Requires a joint management approach for any decision making about fracking

3

Background of Fracking
Fracking also known as hydraulic fracturing is a method for extracting unconventional gas from deep shale bed using high pressure water to make crack into petroleum bearing formations. Known as shale gas
Labelled as “clean” alternative to coal (Moore, 2013)
Pros
Alternative source of fuel
Low cost
More job opportunity
Cons
Requires huge amount of water
Contamination of ground water
Lose of potential aquifer
Can trigger earthquake
Fracking process
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/what-is-fracking-and-why-is-it-dividing-australia

As of AU water per capital is still better and showing less scarcity but its long drought and on going increase in demand raising a new think about current water policy.
Fracking also known as hydraulic fracking is a method for extraction gas and oil from deep underground using high pressure water to make crack into petroleum bearing formations.
(After CON) Fracking policies vary widely across Australia’s states and territories, and so do community attitudes. 
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How Fracking Threatens Drinking Water (https://www.cleanwateraction.org/features/fracking-threatens-drinking-water)
Ritchie & Roser, 2017
Threat for local water resources: contaminate both SW and GW (Batley & Kookana, 2012)
Open pit waste water storage facilities are responsible for risking death of animals and human health
Open disposal of fracking fluid
Gas production will last nearly 50 years
Gas production is temporary but damage of water bearing formation is permanent

Global Perspective
First used in 1940’s but popularized in 1990’s (Mooney, 2011)
Popularly used in USA
Australian Perspective
Started operation in 1960’s in the Cooper Basin
Fully/ partially moratorium imposed since 2017
Queensland currently sole produce of shale gas
WA onshore operation create large amount of GHG
Northern Territory Perspective
Started independent inquiry and review in 2016
Lack of management and regulatory system helps to halt fracking operation to avoid radioactive contamination (Waste, N.D.)
Large portion of NT owned by Aboriginal people
Continuous protest going on against fracking
NT Govt. issue moratorium on fracking in 2016 (Pepper et al., 2018)

Fracking landscape in Australia by state and territory

Bista et al., 2017

Evaluation of plan
After Dovers and Hussey, 2013

Problem Framing: identify an issue, gather information and construct a policy problem

Policy Framing: guideline principles are identified, policy position and goals defined

Policy Implementation: instruments selection, resources allocated, communication and enforcement activity undertaken and monitoring established

Monitoring and evaluation: on going process to enable learning and performance enhancement

Fracking in Wyoming. Photo by EcoFlight, courtesy of SkyTruth
Problem Framing
Current law got loopholes that restrict the flow of information on chemical used in fracking- “Trade Secrete”
Fracking related to mining industry- wrong concept
Agricultural sector
Water resource sector
Environmental sector (ignored completely, Grudnoff, 2014)
Health sector (ignored completely, Grudnoff, 2014)
There is no conventional dollar value for water pollution caused by fracking
A little knowledge among aboriginal communities about fracking

8

Policy Framing
Developing a policy framework for reducing the risk related to water sector, to increase affective use of hydraulic fracking and engage stakeholders for long-term solution
Agencies like DENR, Department of health, NLC, EPA, DPIR work together for risk assessment using their own framework.
Review Water act, water regulations, marine pollution act, national gas act etc. to reduce loopholes
Access to relevant information at community level

Policy Implementation
Interdepartmental Collaboration to implement the term ‘fracking’ into water policy- a joint management approach
Research and monitoring
Detailed GW mapping before fracking
Risk assessment before fracking
GW data collection for laboratory analysis
Find an upgrade solution for waste water treatment
Establish monitory value (Tool) for compensation- a common language
Correlate existing framework
Provide education, training and raise awareness by involving community
Consultation with mining industry for an effective solution
Review existing law and implement new law and/or regulations (if required)

Policy Implementation: for Stakeholder
Federal and local Govt. – providing existing legislation for sustainable framework
Mining industry – provide information/data to clear the uncertainty of chemicals used in fracking process
Researcher – monitor fracking program and find a solution for debating issues
NGO’s – increase social awareness specially in remote communities
Law makers reduces the loopholes for a sustainable framework acceptable for all

Monitoring and Evaluation
https://frackinginjurylaw.com/dangerous-fracking-chemicals/
Regular monitoring of groundwater quality near fracking site and surface water near open pit waste water storage facility
Surrounding air quality, Seepage and spill check
Data collection from monitoring sites and labs for reporting and further evaluation
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO)- conduct research, review and reporting to publish for wider community
Related national and local govt. organizations for monitoring and evaluation

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References
Althaus, C., Bridgman, P., & Davis, G. (2013). The Australian policy handbook. Allen & Unwin.
https://ceowatermandate.org/policyengagement/understanding-water-policy
Mooney, C. (2011). The truth about fracking. Scientific American, 305(5), 80-85.
Moore, R. (2013, March). Fracking, PR, and the Greening of Gas. In The International.
Batley, G. E., & Kookana, R. S. (2012). Environmental issues associated with coal seam gas recovery: managing the fracking boom. Environmental Chemistry, 9(5), 425-428.
Ritchie, H., & Roser, M. (2017). Fossil fuels. Our World in Data.
Pepper, R., Hart, B. T., Jones, D., Smith, R., Prioestly, B., & Anderson, A. (2018). Final report: Scientific inquiry into hydraulic fracturing in the Northern Territory. Available at:(accessed 4 June 2018).
Dovers, S., & Hussey, K. (2013). Environment and sustainability: a policy handbook. Federation Press.
Grudnoff, M. (2014). Fracking the future: busting industry myths about coal seam gas.
Bista, S., Jennings, P., & Anda, M. (2017). Cradle to grave GHG emissions analysis of shale gas hydraulic fracking in Western Australia. Renewable Energy and Environmental Sustainability, 2, 45.
Waste, L. R. Radiation risks and fracking.

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Thank you…

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