The NT Government today committed $11.79 million towards a promised series of studies necessary before an onshore gas industry could be launched and fracking allowed.

Despite the parlous state of the Territory's finances, the commitment is again seen as a further sign of the government's reliance on the gas industry's long-term promise.

Today's economic update also promised funding for an Office of Climate Change.

Again, this move is seen as necessary to deal with the rise of greenhouse gases (methane) which a Territory gas industry is sure to produce.

Griffith University's Emeritus Professor Ian Lowe has warned developing shale gas in the NT would have "a catastrophic impact on Australia's efforts to slow climate change".

First off was the $11.79 million for the Strategic Regional Environmental Baseline Assessment.

This again was a recommendation from the Pepper Scientific inquiry into an onshore gas industry in the NT which the government has promised to follow precisely.

NT Treasurer Nicole Manison today said the cost of these studies "will be subsequently recouped through cost-recovery arrangements with industry".

These studies, the Beetaloo basin will be first to be done because that's where all the exploration is centred, is intended to find out what's there scientifically before development is allowed to begin.

Studies are expected to include water quality and quantity, aquatic ecosystems, terrestrial ecosystems, greenhouse gases, environmental health, social, cultural and economic studies.

The Pepper inquiry also wanted an assessment of how the development of an onshore gas industry may affect communities within the region.

In short, the inquiry wanted baseline data collected to provide a reference point for ongoing monitoring.

The inquiry's final report noted "... there is generally poor spatial coverage of data on surface and groundwater characteristics and of both aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity in the regions of the Territory most likely to be affected by any onshore shale gas industry".

"Consequently, the Final Report considered it essential that the key knowledge gaps are addressed prior to the granting of any further production approvals for onshore gas development."

In relation to climate change, this NT Government has released a draft aspirational target for net zero emissions by 2050.

Late last year it also released an 11-page environmental offsets policy to say how it intends to cope with an onshore gas industry but it had little detail.

Even its own scientific experts have warned a shale gas industry would wreck the Territory's climate credentials.

One estimate discussed in the Pepper inquiry said "fugitive emissions from natural gas production in the NT are expected to be about three per cent of Australia's methane emissions".

In its climate change document released last year there were just two paragraphs on the development of onshore gas on Page 15 of the document.

"The NT Government has accepted Recommendation 9.8 of the inquiry, which states that the NT and Australian Government seek to ensure there is no net increase in the lifecycle emissions emitted in Australia from any onshore shale gas produced in the NT.

"The NT Government is continuing to work with the Australian Government on this matter."

There has been no further explanation than that at today's announcement of $3.6 million for "bushfire emergency response, preparedness and the establishment of the Office of Climate Change".

Protect Country Alliance today slammed the Government's decision to bill taxpayers nearly $12 million as part of subsidies being handed out to the fracking industry.

"Given the coronavirus pandemic will hit big NT industries like tourism and agriculture hard, the NT Government should immediately redirect gas industry assistance to industries that actually deliver for Territorians," Protect Country Alliance spokesman Dan Robins said.

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