26 Feb 2015
The Katherine Town Council has effectively voted ‘No’ to local jobs and investment by supporting calls for a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing and shale gas development.
APPEA Northern Territory Director Steven Gerhardy said the council was placing green ideology ahead of sensible economic development.
“The reality is hydraulic fracturing has already been practised on thousands of wells throughout Australia without incident, including more than 30 wells in the Northern Territory since the 1970s,” he said.
“It is a safe, technologically-advanced activity.
“The council’s support for a moratorium not only ignores all the evidence, it places the region’s future economic development at risk.
“Katherine is in an ideal position to develop as a supply centre for the oil and gas industry which has been working with the Katherine Mining Services Association and local businesses to identify and develop opportunities.
“A single shale-gas exploration program can generate millions of dollars of work for local businesses in areas such as civil works, transport, accommodation and other services.
“Last year, one oil and gas company’s exploration program resulted in $7.5 million worth of contracts for Territory companies, mostly in Alice Springs.
“Can Katherine afford to say no to those sorts of opportunities?
“I urge the council to reconsider their decision and put the interests of local businesses first.” Download PDF
Media Contact