Last Saturday was a Territory-wide day of action in response to the NT Government’s recent decision to green-light fracking in the Beetaloo basin.

Local residents took part by hosting a rally at Peko Park which drew in crowds with a free sausage sizzle.

Community members were engaged and shared a common outrage at the Government’s recent decision.

The event demonstrated that the community does not want fracking gas fields on Country.

An important message of ‘Ngapa is Life’ was strongly conveyed.

Residents know that fracking is a danger to already limited water sources and ninety per cent of the territory’s water supply comes from groundwater.

Organisers of the rally would like to thank the Greens and local member, Steve Edgington, for their support in providing funding for the bbq.

The Beetaloo basin is the name given to an area of about 28,000 km2 between Katherine and Tennant Creek.

The decision to permit fracking here was met with fierce opposition from Traditional Owners and environmental groups.

Scientists have warned the planned massive expansion of fracking for gas in the Beetaloo basin will have an unacceptable impact on the climate.

The International Energy Agency warns that no new coal or gas projects can proceed if the world is to limit global heating to 1.5C.

Despite this, the expansion of the Beetaloo has the backing of both major parties.

If the basin reaches full production, hundreds or potentially thousands of wells could be drilled using fracking across the landscape.

Traditional Owners are worried fracking might affect song-lines, which connect one place with another, and the groundwater that people and ecosystems rely on.

This article appeared in Tennant & District Times, 23 June 2023.