Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation has expressed serious concern following confirmation the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority has commenced legal proceedings against Ichthys LNG Pty Ltd in relation to alleged under-reporting of emissions.

Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation (LNAC) noted on Monday that while the allegations are now before the courts and it would be inappropriate to comment on the merits of those proceedings, the organisation believes the matter "reinforces the importance of strong environmental regulation, transparency and corporate accountability for major industrial operations on Larrakia Country".

LNAC said Darwin Harbour is "not simply an industrial or economic asset ... it is Larrakia Country and holds profound cultural, environmental and economic significance for Larrakia people, with responsibilities to Country extending across generations".

LNAC Chairperson Travis Borsi said companies operating on Larrakia Country must understand that with the opportunity to undertake major projects comes "an equally significant responsibility" to protect Country and the broader community.

"Larrakia people have cared for Darwin Harbour and the surrounding lands and waters for thousands of years. Any activity that has the potential to impact the health of our Harbour, our environment or our community must be subject to the highest standards of accountability and transparency," he said.

"Major companies operating on Larrakia Country have a responsibility to comply with their environmental obligations, accurately report their emissions and ensure the community has confidence in the information being provided."

The NT EPA said it elected to pursue prosecution after INPEX (the operator and majority owner of Ichthys LNG Pty Ltd), said in October 2025 it had significantly under-reported the level of benzene and toluene emissions between 2019 and 2024, which sparked an EPA investigation. At the time, INPEX said the under-reporting occurred due to a calculation error, and had not resulted in an "increased health risk to the community".

The EPA said in a statement last week that the under-reporting allegedly represented a breach of the company's environmental licence to operate.

"The NT EPA licences Ichthys LNG through an environment protection licence, originally granted on 13 December 2017," the statement said.

"Under the licence, Ichthys LNG is required to annually report total emissions to air in tonnes to the NT EPA.

"In October 2025, Ichthys LNG informed the NT EPA of significant under-reporting of emissions from the Ichthys LNG facility. The NT EPA has now commenced prosecution in relation to this matter."

Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation said it welcomes stronger regulatory oversight of industrial emissions and supports measures that provide the community with "greater access to reliable and transparent information" about air quality and emissions across the Darwin region.

Mr Borsi said economic development and environmental responsibility must go hand in hand.

"Larrakia Nation supports responsible economic development and recognises the important contribution major projects make to the Northern Territory economy. But economic development cannot come at the expense of Country, culture or community," he said.

"Companies operating on Larrakia Country should not simply meet the minimum regulatory standard. We expect them to demonstrate leadership, transparency and genuine accountability to the Traditional Owners and communities whose Country supports their operations."

LNAC said it will continue to advocate for the protection of Darwin Harbour and for Larrakia people to have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting the environmental and cultural health of Larrakia Country.

INPEX senior vice president Bill Townsend said in a statement reported by the ABC that the company was taking the issue seriously but could not comment further on "legal matters".

"The safety and wellbeing of our people, and the protection of the environment and community through safe operations, remain our highest priorities," he said.