There is a lot riding on Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s decision whether or not to allow the use of fracking to extract our underground gas resources.

With the Territory’s population about to slide backwards for the first time in 14 years and the Government facing off against a perfect storm of economic conditions, the money from royalties could be what the NT needs to be able to keep the lights on.

Justice Rachel Pepper’s draft final report found that with proper regulation, the risks associated with fracking can be mitigated, and in some instances, completely wiped out.

It took 10 months, 105 public hearings, 29 community forums, 500 submissions and $3 million for the inquiry to make the 120 recommendations in the draft report.

■ RELATED: FRACKING: WHAT LOCK THE GATE HAS TO SAY

■ RELATED: FRACKING: NORTHERN LAND COUNCIL CHIEF EXECUTIVE TALKS

■ RELATED: FRACKING: WHAT THE GAS INDUSTRY HAS TO SAY

■ RELATED: FRACKING: NT OPPOSITION LEADER GARY HIGGINS TALKS

Mr Gunner is almost certain to see the economic sense of allowing fracking.

But by devolving the responsibility for the decision to an independent inquiry, the Government is hoping to absolve itself from the backlash which will follow its almost inevitable move to allow fracking.

Here, some of the key interest groups — the Opposition, Northern Land Council, APPEA and Lock the Gate — weigh in on what fracking could mean for the Territory.

Missing from this page is the opinion of the Gunner Government.

The NT News approached Labor to participate, but the party declined to be involved.

The Government can’t afford to keep sitting on the fence for much longer.

The time has come for a decision.