They argue the decision does nothing to protect the region’s waterways or tourism and pastoral industries.

Traditional Owners have rejected the move as ‘not good enough’ after 80 Mangarrayi and Alawa Traditional Owners gave evidence to the NT Fracking Inquiry last month calling for the former-Giles Government’s awarding of fracking permits to Rhinehart’s company to be investigated by an anti-corruption commission.

Daniel Tapp, owner of Big River Station, said: “My cattle station adjoins the Roper River. A small buffer zone around the springs will do nothing to minimise the impacts of potentially thousands of water hungry and risky fracking gasfields in our region.

“The underground aquifer is the lifeblood of our region and its successful cattle and tourism businesses.

“What use is a tiny buffer zone when the aquifers that feed it run for hundreds of kilometres in each direction?” Mr Tapp said.

Glenys Somers, owner of a tourism business that adjoins Bitter Springs has joined with other tourism operators to reject Hancock’s gesture as ‘ineffectual and insulting’:

“This paltry concession is not based on the best available science of whether fracking can be carried out safely around our underground springs and rivers,” Ms Somers said.

“It’s a cheap political manoeuvre to try and deflect attention from plans for widespread fracking gasfields across the entire Roper catchment area and our region.

“What about the remainder of the river and springs catchment areas? Protection of our water shouldn’t be in the hands of the mining giants. Our community won’t accept Rinehart’s flimsy gesture, but will continue fighting for a full fracking ban across the Territory,” she said.

“Right now tourism businesses are collecting thousands of signed postcards from visitors to our region to demonstrate the impact that gasfields will have on tourism experiences and visitor numbers.

“Last year Elsey National Park and the springs brought over 170,000 visitors to our region. Tourism numbers are booming, supporting hundreds of local jobs and businesses. This is our growth opportunity, not dangerous fracking that threatens this pristine region.

“Why is the Gunner Government even considering risking our sustainable and proven industry to help out interstate fracking companies and mining billionaires?”