There is a moratorium on unconventional onshore gas mining in the NT until the panel makes its report.

People will need to register through the panel’s website on frackinginquiry.nt.gov.au to attend the formal hearing from 10.30am at Knotts Crossing.

This first hearing on Wednesday will be streamed live to the inquiry’s website.

The Katherine Times will also attempt to stream this live feed to our own popular website. We will update readers on how to access that video before Wednesday.

A second meeting will be held at Katherine High School on the same day from 5-7pm.

”The inquiry seeks to understand the views of the community on hydraulic fracturing and associated activities,” a panel spokesman said.

“This meeting is an opportunity for people in the community to meet the inquiry panel, find out more about hydraulic fracturing, ask questions and provide feedback.

“Feedback and information gathered during the meeting will be used by the inquiry as evidence and will be included in an interim report.”

At the second community meeting, people will be divided into small groups to “enable a more personal facilitated discussion”.

The community meetings (Katherine High School) are open to all members of the public and registration is not required.

“However, for planning purposes registration is strongly encouraged,” a panel spokesman said.

“People who registered prior will be given priority.

“Registration on arrival is subject to venue capacity,” the spokesman said.

The final report will not be released until December.