To the Commissioner,
Re: EP(A)219, EP(A)255, EP(A)257, EP167, EP189
I am writing with concerns regarding the applications for
fracking exploration over large areas within our region, either granted
or pending. There has been no information or notification as yet to
the people of and living in these regions from NT Gas, nor the NT
Government regarding the applications. I am concerned about the lack of
scientific studies to guarantee safety and security of our water, soil
and air.
The following is list of issues pertaining to fracking that
make it an unacceptable practice within the Northern Territory.
- The industry is largely unregulated. It is not
appropriate for a such an environmentally destructive practice to go
largely unchecked.
- mining groups can gain access to private land without regard for owners of that land.
- indigenous protected areas are not safe from mining
interests. This shows a lack of respect for the traditional owners of
this land.
- the majority of the Territories water supply is sourced
from underground aquifers, the risk of impact and contamination of the
potable water supply is high and would have disastrous impacts on the
health and safety of the Territory people and jeopardise current and
future water reserves.
- Water requirements for each fracked well in enourmous
- mining groups are not bound by water restrictions that
guide the use of water across the territory. If 80% of water is
allocated for environmental flows I don't think it is appropriate that
the mining industry does not need to take into account environmental
requirements. Especially if the industry will go unregulated.
- very little information has gone out to the general public to allow open discussion on all aspects of fracking.
- the government is spending public moneys locating gas
reserves for mining companies and stripping funding to environmental
groups that would help to keep these industries in check.
- the liberal government is abandoning any pursuit of
developing renewable resources for the future in place of stripping the
territory of is last remaining fossil fuels. This is a short sighted
grab for cash to the detriment to the health of Territorials and the
environment.
- the unsightly destruction of our visual landscape caused
by tens of thousands of fracked wells will destroy the unique value of
the territory.
- the high potential for the pollution of water ways from waste water and chemicals spills
- there is mounting evidence from around the world that fracking is an environmental and human health disaster.
I would consider that any government that overlooked this well documented history would be acting negligently.
I do not support fracking in the Northern Territory. I
would like to see a moratorium on fracking until this this enquiry can
prove that fracking for gas will have NO negative impacts on the health
of the people, environment and the aesthetic value of the territory.
Regards
