Show and tell of gas benefits
IT’S not quite as alluring as an oily dagwood dog dipped in tomato sauce. Nor is it as exciting as the sugary contents of a kid’s showbag.
But for the past week or two, I have been travelling the Northern Territory’s show circuit with my own attraction to steal people away from Sideshow Alley – a dusty gas-drilling wellhead.
Whether it was Alice Springs, Katherine last weekend or this weekend’s finale in Darwin, the wellhead exhibit on the gas industry booth always gets attention.
Hundreds of people have spoken to me – as well as members of Santos, Origin Energy and Empire Energy – daily about what they think is good and bad about the gas industry.
And it is pleasing to hear many people are excited about the extraordinary job and business opportunities of Beetaloo Basin development.
But those people interested in the wellhead display also highlighted to me that some people are concerned about the safety of hydraulic fracturing after hearing the mountains of misinformation from anti-gas political groups.
Indeed, as Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison told parliament recently, misinformation is the greatest threat to the extraordinary economic opportunity presented by the Beetaloo.
We must follow the facts to get the best outcome and these were settled in 2018 with the Northern Territory government’s independent Pepper Inquiry, one of 14 inquiries, studies or reviews that have found any potential environmental risks can be managed safely.
Still, the wellhead is something real and practical that people can see for themselves.
They are usually surprised at the amount of layers of cement and casing used to protect aquifers and the integrity of the well.
This is often very persuasive and reassures people about the environmental protections in place. Then they want to talk about those jobs.
A common question: When do the jobs get advertised?
Yes, the jobs are coming and they are local, in the NT and in the remote regional communities crying out for economic opportunity, depending on where exploration takes us.
Research has shown that up to 6000 jobs could be created from Beetaloo Basin development by 2040, right where unemployment is among the worst levels in the NT.
The scope of that potential job growth is huge when you consider there are about 11,000 Territorians currently employed in the gas industry supply chain.
The sector infiltrates every part of our community – from gas fitters and gas bottle retailers in the suburbs of Darwin and regional towns to drillers in the Beetaloo.
It is why we understand we must also work with that broader community if we are to get the best outcome for all.
The industry is currently focused on exploration and moving to production in late 2024 or early 2025.
But it will only be done when the Pepper Inquiry’s recommendations are completed and extensive consultation with communities, landholders and Traditional Owners occurs.
The gas industry takes its social licence seriously and we can’t be part of a community unless we bring you with us on our shared journey.
This is why the show circuit is such an important avenue for all Territorians to talk to each other.
… up to 6000 jobs could be created from Beetaloo Basin development by 2040
As a country girl, I reckon there is something wonderful, if a bit oldfashioned, about the way this tour showcases different parts of our communities and brings them together, face-to-face.
Town and country. The animals and the agriculture. Industry and governments. Local businesses and community groups. And the rides, the cakes, the fun.
Some attendees in Katherine last week travelled six hours across the NT to attend.
I like to think they came for my drill wellhead, not the dagwood dogs.