Australia's largest coal seam gas producer has lodged an application to frack nearly 1000 petroleum wells, including in an area near the Carnarvon National Park.
Subscribe now for unlimited access to all our agricultural news
across the nation
or signup to continue reading
Environmental lobby group Lock the Gate has raised concerns about the proposal and the fact that it will not require an environmental impact statement.
Australia Pacific LNG has lodged an amendment seeking state government approval to frack up to 940 petroleum wells in an area stretching from Injune through to Springsure.
Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a mining technique where high-pressure fluid or gas is injected through rock to ease the extraction of trapped coal seam gas.
It is a contentious technique dogged by concerns about its potential to cause environmental harm.
In its amendment application Australia Pacific LNG said it would adopt conditions to ensure any environmental risks were identified and managed.
"The risk assessment framework includes the minimum acceptable standards to be applied to each well before it is hydraulically fractured so that site-specific risks can be managed from each well during the event," the amendment read.
"The risk assessment will determine the nature, extent and impact from the stimulation activity and allow the proper and efficient management of any environmental harm caused by the activity."
Australia Pacific LNG also said there were "no springs or surface water bodies that may be impacted by conducting [fracking]" within the development area.
A small section of the mining development area overlaps with the Carnarvon National Park.
Lock the Gate spokeswoman Ellie Smith said there were concerns about fracking activities that could be carried out near the park.
"The Murray Darling is under so much pressure already, and this amendment application could have devastating impacts to underground and surface water resources in the area," she said.
"The insidious nature of fracking means that even though the wells won't be located inside the national park, it is possible they will still have a devastating impact on the pristine creeks and springs within Carnarvon."
Australia Pacific LNG is a joint venture between Origin, ConocoPhillips and Sinopec.
Lock the Gate called on the Queensland government to reject the fracking application.
A spokeswoman from the Department of Environment and Science said the proposed activities would be thoroughly assessed.
"The department has received an application from Australia Pacific LNG which includes amendments to its current environmental authority to allow hydraulic fracturing on its existing petroleum and gas leases," she said.
"A rigorous environmental assessment of the proposed activity is being undertaken, which includes groundwater assessments.
"The application is currently out for public consultation. Consultation opened on 9 July 2019 and will close 6 August 2019."
The federal Environment Department said the main risks of fracking included risks to groundwater, the toxicity of chemicals used and induce seismic activity.
"The significance of these risks is geographically and geologically specific," said a 2014 department paper on fracking techniques.
Queensland has a strong regulatory regime for assessing the impacts of fracking, the paper added.
