Top NT tourism operators concerned with fracking impacts on the environment have embarked on a 4500km journey to deliver a key message to Australian leaders.
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The Fracking Fact-Finding Tour dispatched from Katherine yesterday after officially departing from Darwin to deliver a message in Canberra at the final sittings of Federal Parliament for 2018.
The tour operators, who are in strong opposition with the NT Government’s plans for large scale onshore shale gas industry development, will join a delegation of Territory pastoralists and Traditional Owners to deliver the message:
“Fracking the NT means trashing any credible climate action plan for Australia.”
One of the tour organisers Rob Woods is the owner of NT based Ethical Adventures, a tour company which stands to lose out from potential climate impacts from fracking.
“The idea of a frack-finding tour came about after other tourism operators started raising concerns about the risk industrial gasfields and associated climate impacts could have on the Territory tourism experience, and the iconic, pristine landscapes and attractions our industry relies on,” Mr Woods said.
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The tour operators are also on a mission to see first hand how fracking has impacted the environment in other regions of Australia.
“We’ve all heard the stories from other gasfield regions, places like Chinchilla QLD, where there are thousands of gas wells piercing farmland like a pin-cushion, and where the Condamine River and surrounding bores can be set alight.
“Now we want to see the impacts firsthand, and to bring those messages back to the Territory and wake this Government up before it’s too late,” Mr Woods said.
Over the past couple of years the NT Government has put millions of dollars into promoting the NT as a “must-do, unique holiday destination”.
Mr Woods said the tourism industry is at risk.
“As tourism operators we want visitors to experience the NT’s truly unique and stunning natural environment, to swim in pristine waterholes, and enjoy its healthy, clean produce.
“We have so much to offer, it’s no wonder the tourism industry is considered the backbone of our economy, and one of our biggest employers.
“But that image, and our industry, is all at risk with fracking.
“The gas-addicted Gunner Government is selling us out by by forcing us to compete with polluting gasfields, increased truck traffic and heavy industry across some of our most iconic regions,” Mr Woods said.
Chris Naden, the owner of the Top End’s Streeter Cruises said he is “deeply concerned about the risk fracking brings to our environment, our climate, and tourist impressions of the NT.
“With twin threats facing the Territory from climate change and a local economic downturn, why would any responsible government jeopardise our successful and sustainable tourism industry on a fracking gamble?”
Eco-tourism operator from NT Bird Specialists Luke Paterson said he holds serious concerns for the future of the NT.
“Tourism employs one in 13 people in the Territory and many of our five-star attractions include natural areas, so it is crucial we look after this fragile, ancient environment and think about the long-term impacts of today's actions,” Mr Paterson said.
“As an eco-tourism operator who shares this amazing country with guests from all over the world it would be devastating to see it damaged in irreversible ways or put at risk with unforeseen consequences from fracking.”
The Fracking Fact-Finding Tour will be making stops in QLD and NSW where on shore gas exploration has already been established over the next couple of days.
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