Sunday Territorian 18 May 2014
Sunday Territorian; NewspaperNT
2014-05-18
This publication contains may contain links to external sites. These external sites may no longer be active.
English
Community newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin.; Australian newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin.
Nationwide News Pty. Limited
Darwin
application/pdf
Copyright. Made available by the publisher under licence.
Nationwide News Pty. Limited
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/250745
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/552844
10 NEWS SUNDAY MAY 18 2014 NTNE01Z01MA - V1 Alarm as fracking closes in on Uluru MORE than 100 people attended a meeting in Alice Springs to discuss their fears about unconventional gas exploration permits as close as 75km to Uluru. Hosted by environmental group Lock the Gate on Thursday night, the meeting resolved to form a local action group to challenge the controversial mining technique of fracking in the Territory. Gas mining giant Santos, together with Central Petroleum, have been granted, or have applied for, permits to explore tens of thousands of square kilometres of the Amadeus Basin south of Alice Springs that supplies most of the towns drinking water. Fracking involves pumping water, sand and chemicals through shale rock to create fissures. Oil and gas escape through the fissures and this is then extracted. Many argue the technique contaminates water supplies. Lock the Gate co-ordinator Boudicca Cerese said the gas industry was pushing through with little regard for the potential consequences. The problem is that there is a drill and frack at all costs mentality, when the science behind fracking and the laws in place are inadequate to protect the community Ms Cerese said. We dont know enough about the impact on water resources of unconventional gas mining to be taking a risk with fracking, Ms Cerese said. Central Petroleum chief executive Richard Cottee said the company had no immediate plans to frack the area but did not rule it out in the future. Ms Cerese also said permits issued for exploration so close to Uluru could have a negative impact on tourism. Santos was fined earlier this year for a coal seam gas project in NSW that was responsible for contaminating a nearby aquifer with uranium at levels 20 times higher than safe drinking water guidelines. A government inquiry into the effects of fracking is expected to report later this year. Chief Minister Adam Giles has several times touted the Territorys vast unconventional gas reserves as the key to unlocking economic benefits for Northern Australia. Santos has been using the fracking technique at a site about 250km west of Alice Springs since 1993. By SASHA PETROVA in Alice Springs Elliette Wardrope, 2, checks out the goats at the popular Freds Pass Rural Show yesterday Pictures: MICHAEL FRANCHI Freds Pass show gets a big welcome-back By CLAYTON BENNETT A GOOD crowd welcomed the return of the Freds Pass Rural Show in the outskirts of Darwin. Thousands of punters turned up to enjoy the show at Freds Pass Reserve yesterday after its two-year hiatus. Locals and visitors looked around stalls spruiking everything from food to politics. Kids enjoyed the rides and squeaky toys, while adults checked out the Paddock to Plate marquee with Territorian MasterChef contestant Lynton Tapp. Mother Jennah Wardrope said her children, Elliette, 2, and Avan, 1, were having fun looking at the goats and cows. We thought we would come and see the animals, she said. This year is pretty good. Humpty Doo sisters Rebecca, 10, and Samantha Dowling, 8, won first place for champion pet of show with their roosters Nightmare and Prince. Rebecca said she was happy with the win after they had hand-raised the roosters. Attendees who stayed after dark were entertained by a fireworks display and a performance by Cold Chisel rocker Ian Moss. The show continues today. Rebecca Dowling, 10, and Samantha Dowling, 8, show off their winning roosters Nightmare and Prince Ruby Nelson, 15, won the Champion Leading Hand competition with cow Taminmin Imogen Send your pics along with the backstory to news@ntnews.com.au with the subject Were for NT. Include your name, address and contact details for the chance to win a $500 voucher to escape to Discovery Holiday Parks - Darwin. Competition closes 31st May 2014. Limit of 2 entries per person per day. For full terms and conditions visit ntnews.com.au/competitions. 24600.v THINK YOUVE CAPTURED THE ESSENCE OF THE TERRITORY?