Northern Territory's economic roadmap slammed for its reliance on gas

In its first report yesterday, the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission was buoyant on the outlook for Beetaloo shale gas.

The commission has urged the NT Government to "accelerate" plans for a gas industry.

Although not detailed in the report, many believe this includes fast tracking building of a gas pipeline from Tennant Creek to Darwin.

In March, the government advertised a tender for a pre-feasibility study for a pipeline "corridor" from Tennant Creek to Darwin.

The NT Government says the development of a pipeline to transport gas from the Beetaloo Basin to Darwin is critical "to fulfil the Territory's gas vision".

The 100-metre wide corridor of the pipeline is proposed to closely follow the Stuart Highway and through Katherine and Pine Creek to reach Darwin.

Another gas pipeline between Tennant Creek and Mount Isa, a distance of 622km, was opened in 2018.

Protect Territory Alliance today said the NT Government had an "illogical obsession" with fracking.

"Sadly, this is what we expected would happen when the Gunner Government named two frack fans, Andrew Liveris and Paul Henderson, as head of the Commission," Protect Country Alliance spokesman Graeme Sawyer said.

Mr Sawyer said alarmingly, the report made reference to "liquids" that could be tapped in the Beetaloo Basin.

"We know that for many of these fracking companies, oil and gas liquids are part of their plan, and this report further proves it," Mr Sawyer said.

"But the Pepper Inquiry never even looked into the extraction and transport risks for liquids from the Beetaloo.

"To see the Gunner Government pushing ahead with plans for a gas led economy is also especially ironic as it coincides with the release of the scathing Samuels Report into the failings of the EPBC act, which found 'Australia's environment was getting worse under the laws designed to protect it'.

"This all makes it even more alarming given Mr Gunner wants to do away with due process and important checks and balances to 'fast track' assessment processes."

Mr Sawyer said a clearer example of EPBC's failure could not be found than the example of fracking in the NT.

"The Gunner Government is encouraging the fracking industry to lay waste to Territory communities and the environment without even going through the necessary checks and balances," he said.

"This frack-focused interim report and the Gunner Government's poorly made decision to enthusiastically support it could mean environmental and social vandalism is unleashed on the NT with little to no regulatory oversight."