THE TIWI Land Council has permitted energy company Provaris to proceed with surveys, monitoring and land agreement drafts as part of the Tiwi H2 project.
Tiwi H2 is a green hydrogen export project on the Northern Territory’s Tiwi Islands, on the traditional lands of the Munupi people.
According to Provaris, at a meeting with the Tiwi Land Council in Darwin on 5 December, the company was permitted to proceed with an on-country geotechnical survey, solar monitoring and commencement of Section 19 land agreement drafting.
The company said the permissions support an early works program to advance the design of the solar precinct, with respect to an environmental impact statement submission late next year.
Section 19 lease drafting and negotiations aim to clarify the value the Tiwi H2 project could offer the Munupi clan and Tiwi people.
Provaris executive director and chief development officer Garry Triglavcanin said consultations ensure required permissions are granted as the project matures through its development stages
“We thank the Munupi clan for the spirit of consultation to date and permissions granted, and now look forward to developing the benefits to the community in parallel with the drafting and execution of all land agreements required during detailed feasibility stages,” he said.
And Tiwi H2 facilitation manager Lindsay Whiting said the company has been working to ensure the Tiwi H2 project can balance commercial and technical success with a respect for cultural heritage.
“With an appreciation of the concerns of past experiences for the Tiwi people, my role is to work with the Munupi clan, relevant Tiwi stakeholders and Provaris to ensure that all required consultation processes are followed.”
Provaris said several consultation meetings with the Munupi clan in 2021 and 2022 resulted in permissions for activities supporting the Tiwi H2 design concept study and a Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority referral submission.
It said it also received permission for future activities including aerial drone surveys and a survey program to better design the solar precinct and transmission line down the Port Melville industrial zone.
