The debate over fracking – and its potential impact on tourism – is reaching boiling point in the Nothern Territory.
An inquiry into the practice is due to reach its conclusions shortly and that could either mean the current moratorium is lifted or a permanent ban instated.
As always, the central argument appears to be one of economic benefit versus potential environmental damage.
The draft conclusion of the NT Government’s fracking inquiry found that the risks “could be mitigated … to acceptable levels” … but concerned tourism operators are far from convinced.
Glenys Summers’ has a Mataranka tourism accommodation business that depends on the interlinked aquifer system that feeds the Bitter Springs swimming holes and the Roper River fishing hotspot.
She told the ABC that her concerns that fracking could lower the water table have not been assuaged by the inquiry’s findings, particularly as the panel could not assess the risk excessive water use could pose to regional groundwater levels.
And Lisa Mumbin, the Chairwoman of the Nitmiluk National Park Board which manages the Katherine River gorge on behalf of the Jawoyn traditional owners, was equally convinced it was not a risk worth taking. She told the ABC she had not been reassured that the environment would be protected by the inquiry’s recommendation that national parks should be no-go zones for fracking.
“It still will affect us, regardless, because our land connects with all tribal groups’ country, the songlines, our ceremony — it all connects,” she said.
She wants the Government to give more weight to the inquiry’s finding in its draft report that local people did not trust what was going on and were overwhelmingly wary of fracking.
However, the NT Government is under intense pressure from engineering and service businesses to allow fracking to resume in order to kickstart a flagging economy.
The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association says the community should accept the inquiry’s headline finding.
“The inquiry has found there are no risks associated with our industry that can’t be managed by a robust regulatory framework,” said the Association’s spokesperson, Matt Doman. “Many people in the community have strong negative views, but there are also many people in the community who might not be as vocal who strongly support our industry.”
The ABC reports that 70% of the NT’s annual budget comes from Commonwealth coffers, and Canberra is threatening that it — or any other Australian jurisdiction that chooses not to develop its economy — could be penalised.
The NT Government’s fracking inquiry will issue its final report in March.
I saw a station owner from central NSW turn on the kitchen tap and put a lighter to the water. It lit. A flame was comeing out of the tap as well as water. That done me. FRACKING SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED at any time. We live in the one of driest country in the world, why would we PLAY AROUND with our water supply???? There are other instances from out west where gas is bubbling up in the local creek. Only happened when fracking was done in the area.
I don’t agree with fracking in environmentally sensitive areas. We are the caretakers for future generations of areas such as Mataranka. It is not ethically right for us to deny future generations the right to enjoy what we currently do just for short term economic gains.