Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has ordered an independent scientific probe into controversial gas fracking in the Northern Territory.
Gas exploration and appraisal is already underway in the Beetaloo Basin, about 500 kilometres south of Darwin, which conservationists and traditional owners fear may impact or contaminate local water supplies.
The Independent Scientific Expert Committee will now examine whether the projects could impact local water and if so they will be referred to the environment minister for further scrutiny under expanded "water trigger" powers.
Three companies have links to projects in the basin, which have support from both major parties at the Territory level.
In a statement, Ms Plibersek said environmental decisions must be guided by science and national environment law.
"That's why I've asked the scientific experts to look into these projects to settle any concerns about potential impacts on water," she said.
"Everyone concerned should respect the independent scientists – not rush to judgment on the basis of assumptions."
Local MP, Labor's member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour, said she took concerns from traditional owners groups very seriously.
"In regional and remote parts of Lingiari, ground water is relied upon for drinking and to sustain our natural environments. I take seriously any potential impacts to that," she said.
The scientific investigation comes amid warnings of a gas shortfall, with a July report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission showing shortages are now tipped to kick in by 2027, a year sooner than expected.
Australian Energy Producers chief executive Samantha McCulloch said developing the basin was "critical" to the territory's energy security and economic growth.
"(It) has been identified by the Australian Energy Market Operator as necessary to address the looming gas shortfalls in eastern Australia," Ms McCulloch said.
"It is imperative that the referral does not result in any unnecessary delays to the development of this critical gas supply."
Federal Independent MP Sophie Scamps and Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young called on the government to halt all fracking projects in the basin immediately until the results of the scientific probe were known.
Senator Hanson-Young said it was too risky to continue drilling while the report was being written.
"The minister has the power to halt the fracking with the Water Trigger and she needs to use it," the senator said.
