Fracked gas from Beetaloo Basin will flow to NT power grid from today
As of today, gas fracked from the Beetaloo Basin will flow into the Northern Territory's power grid, with the CLP forecasting the project will generate billions in economic value. But environmental activists say hundreds of Territorians oppose the project.
The tap to deliver gas fracked from the Beetaloo Basin into the Northern Territory's power grid has been turned on, marking a significant milestone for the region's economy. This development, forecasted to generate billions in economic value and create thousands of jobs, has been met with both excitement and concern. The Northern Territory's chief minister, Lia Finocchiaro, stated that gas from the Beetaloo Basin would drive new investment and job creation across various sectors, ushering in a decade of potential turning into actual production.
The event is a milestone for the Territory's history, with government officials, gas company heads, native title holders, and the Northern Land Council expected to attend. The Northern Land Council chair, Matthew Ryan, expressed his belief that the new agreement would lead to jobs and benefits for native title holders in the region, emphasizing the importance of working with traditional owners for the Territory's economic growth.
Tamboran Resources, the gas company involved, is committed to ensuring the development creates meaningful and lasting opportunities for the community. The Country Liberal Party government has long claimed the Beetaloo Basin as a key economic driver for the NT, with development forecasts to generate over $17 billion in economic value and support more than 13,000 jobs by 2040.
However, there are disagreements about the exact revenue and employment figures the Beetaloo Basin will generate. Independent economist Saul Eslake described the milestone as significant but cautioned that it would not be a silver bullet solution for the NT's economy. He noted that annual estimates on the royalties generated by the project varied greatly, from $36 million to over $220 million a year.
Anti-fracking activists have gathered in Darwin to express their concerns. The Environment Centre Northern Territory (ECNT) organized a rally, criticizing the industry for having bleak economic prospects and lacking social license to operate in the Territory. ECNT's acting co-chief executive, Bree Ahrens, called for a ban on fracking and AI data centers powered by the Beetaloo Basin gas.
She emphasized the need for a ban before it was too late, as the NT government plans to make the territory the data center capital of the world. Meanwhile, hundreds of Darwin residents have signed up to display new "Ban Fracking" signs on their homes and businesses.
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