NT Middle Arm Plan Threatens Darwin, Climate, Economy

On the eve of the NT election, the proposed 'Middle Arm' gas and petrochemical hub for Darwin Harbour has been strongly criticised by a Senate Report for its negative impact on the environment & climate, human health, local wildlife and local business operators.

The Greens have said the Government's Future Made in Australia agenda is at risk while the Government backs taxpayer subsidised fossil fuels and petrochemicals on Darwin Harbour. The NT needs investment in a clean and renewable future, in health, housing and education, not gas and cancer-causing chemicals.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Chair of the Middle Arm Inquiry, Greens Spokesperson for Environment:

"We should be investing in Darwin's future, but Middle Arm in its current form will put the Northern Territory's communities and ecosystems at risk.

"The Middle Arm gas and petrochemical proposal would wreck Darwin Harbour, harm human health and fuel dangerous climate change. We simply can not proceed with massive new gas and fossil fuel projects subsidised by taxpayers.

"We should be investing $1.5 billion into powering the NT up for a renewable future. Instead, the Albanese Government wants to fund gas and cancer-causing chemicals in Darwin harbour.

"Darwin residents, experts, health professionals, scientists, Traditional Owners and small businesses operators were clear in their evidence to this Inquiry: Darwin needs clean air & clean water. The Middle Arm scheme would wreck the beautiful Darwin harbour and ignore community voices.

"Beyond the risks to human health including increased risk of cancer for residents living in close proximity, we heard concerning evidence about the threats to wildlife including dolphins and the critically endangered far eastern curlew. Local residents, small businesses, tourism operators and fishermen were strongly opposed.

"Widespread opposition to the current Middle Arm proposal was loud and clear, but sadly Labor and Liberal are too close to the big corporations and are not listening.

"This Saturday, Territorians have the opportunity to send a message at the ballot box. We should be investing in clean industries and the futures of NT residents instead of toxic chemicals and fossil fuel pollution.

"Greens candidate Suki Dorras-Walker is running in the winnable seat of Fannie Bay and the Greens only need around 300 more votes to win. For locals fed up with politicians selling out to vested interests, vote Greens and put people before corporations in the NT."

Middle Arm - Key Points from Inquiry Evidence:

· Health: experts warned toxic chemicals cause a 30% higher rate of cancer & leukaemia for local residents.

· Environment & Climate:

· Would increase NT emissions by 75%, 15 million tonnes of carbon

· Opening up the Beetaloo Basin will increase Australia's current emissions by between 9% - 27%

· Water: Beetaloo fracking mines like Tamboran's would use over a billion litres of water.

· Dredging of Darwin harbour & land clearing impacting threatened species including dolphins & threatened far eastern curlew

· No consent from Larrakia Traditional Owners

· Cost to taxpayers: $1.5b at least as a gas & fossil fuel subsidy

· Local business: opposed by local fishermen & tourism operators

Recommendations from Chair's report

Recommendation 1

That the proposed Middle Arm Industrial Precinct and its $1.5 billion federal subsidy be redirected to support clean technology industries, and:

a. Fossil fuel based industries including gas and petrochemicals are not directly or indirectly funded;

b. Free, prior and informed consent is obtained from Larrakia people;

c. A health impact assessment is undertaken and published by the Australian Government and incorporated into decision-making. This must use robust methodologies approved by a panel of independent public health experts and include consideration of health risks from climate change;

d. Development scenarios used for strategic environmental assessments are publicly disclosed, and methodologies incorporated into the EIS are peer-reviewed and open for public comment; and

e. The Australian and NT governments disclose all economic and climate modelling conducted on the precinct, including those by EY, Deloitte and the CSIRO.

Recommendation 2

That the 'economic resilience stream' in the Future Made in Australia framework be prohibited from subsidising fossil fuel industries or petrochemical production.

Recommendation 3

That the Federal Environment Minister urgently use her powers under the water trigger to call in Tamboran and Empire Energy's proposed Beetaloo fracking wells for assessment under the EPBC Act.

Recommendation 4

That the NT and Australian governments fund independent baseline research and ongoing environmental monitoring of species and ecosystems in the Northern Territory to ensure availability of adequate data to protect species and ecosystems into the future.

Recommendation 5

That the NT Government and EPA impose stricter air pollution conditions on all fossil fuel facilities, including mandatory monitoring of volatile organic compounds and clear consequences for breach of licences.

Recommendation 6

That the NT Government revise the role of the NT EPA to create a strong, independent regulator with a clear mandate to enforce strict conditions, investigate infringements and facilitate pathways for community members to raise concerns about potential breaches.

Full Report here