‘Back off the Beetaloo’: Alice Springs protesters denounce gas policies
PROTESTERS have staged a highway demonstration in response to the announcement works will resume on the NT’s Beetaloo Gas Basin exploration program
Centralian Advocate
Don't miss out on the headlines from Centralian Advocate. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Exploration companies resume rich Beetaloo gas exploration program
- Mad frackers tea partiers protest fracking in Alice Springs
- ‘Frack focused’ Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission report raises eyebrows
ALICE Springs community members staged a highway demonstration on Friday in response to the recent announcement works will resume on the NT’s Beetaloo Gas Basin exploration program.
The peaceful demonstration was held as part of the national School Strike 4 Climate.
The group gathered at the Welcome to Alice Springs sign on the South Stuart Highway and told passing motorists they want the government to “Fund Our Future Not Gas”.
CEO of the Arid Lands Environment Centre, Jimmy Cocking, said the plans concerning the basin were “reckless”.
MORE NEWS
‘Abhorrent crimes’: Father of two jailed for child porn involving daughter, niece
‘I’m strongest when in the bush’: Gwoja MLA Chansey Paech reveals aspirations for Central Australia
New locally-created app teaches Alice Springs’ first language, Arrernte
He said the works would “risk our water, lock in decades of pollution and high power prices and risk long-term economic opportunities and prosperity for Territorians.”
“Instead of exploiting the Beetaloo Basin, we should embrace cheaper renewable energy and champion a clean recovery.
“The majority of NT residents do not support the fracking industry and the upcoming national day of action is a chance for Alice residents to continue to call for government investment in clean energy, rather than backing gas fracking.”
Member of Fridays for the Future, Peta Steller, said they were taking action to “help safeguard our future”.
“The impacts of climate change are not a distant threat, they are being experienced now.
“Funnelling public funds into gas extraction is a shortsighted investment, set to benefit only a few.
“We desperately need our leaders to urgently respond to the climate crisis, instead, they are funding it.”
On the announcement last week, Origin general manager for Beetaloo and Growth Assets, Tracey Boyes, said the Beetaloo project was “already creating local jobs and opportunities”.
“If successful, (it) has the potential to deliver long-term economic benefits for the Northern Territory and Australia,” Ms Boyes said.
Less grog-related hospital injury visits: study
New research finds a combination of alcohol policies has helped the NT ‘turn a corner’ in grog-related hospital injury visits – but the numbers still paint a damning picture.
Price: Albo’s cash splash shows he’s ‘spooked’
Albo’s latest multi-million dollar announcement in Alice Springs is being labelled a political stunt by one NT senator, who’s questioning how it will ‘make any meaningful difference’. Find out why.