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The NT's anti-fracking movement is calling on the Government to reverse a second controversial decision this weekend, after it backed down from a $50 million plan due to public outcry.
The plans for the $50m museum at Myilly Point were officially scrapped on Sunday — the same day about 200 people attended an anti-fracking rally in Darwin, calling for government to reverse its decision to allow fracking in the NT.
Protestors like Katinka Kastner hoped the pressure would see the fracking decision also fall to the scrapheap.
"I really hope they're listening to us, and I think the more people that get out there, people power will definitely have an affect," she said, while holding a sign that read 'What you gonna do when the water turns to poo'.
The peaceful protest was held at Nightcliff Jetty from 10am to 12pm on Sunday, featuring guest speakers discussing a range of environmental and economic concerns.
It followed a large gathering outside Darwin's parliament house on Wednesday, where it was estimated about 250 people turned out.
The move to lift an 18-month moratorium on gas extraction was met with significant praise from industry but slammed by some environmental groups and trade unions, when it was announced on Tuesday.
The NT Government will now work to implement 135 recommendations of an inquiry into the issue and it is expected the on-shore fracking could be operational by the middle of 2019.
'A singular act of madness'
Wayne Kurnoth of trade union United Voice was among the impassioned speakers. Mr Kurnoth said the majority of workers he interacted with disagreed with on-shore gas extraction.
"I talk to people around the Territory — workers — and they say 'we don't want it'," he said.
"They say 'no we don't want fracking, f--k it off '."
Retired barrister Lex Silvester said that the Gunner government's decision was a "singular act of madness".
"When I look at what will occur on Territory pastural land when the frackers arrive to get the gas, and poison the water, and ruin the lives of Territory people, I get angry," he said.
"This is a gas grab from outsiders' companies that want to frack your land and sell it for peanuts on overseas markets and then give you nothing for it."
Scott McDinny, who travelled from Borroloola — a region likely to be utilised by gas companies, claimed that the hydraulic fracturing of the land would ruin the region's drinking water.
"Why does the government not listen to people and not care about life?" he said.
"We demand access to clean water and deserve the rights of all Australians."
Government sticks to decision
Gabriel Cook of the Oenpelli community said that his community felt betrayed by Chief Minister Michael Gunner allowing fracking.
"If it wasn't for us in the bush communities you wouldn't be Chief Minister and we won't trust you again," he said.
"We did achieve some 'no-go zones', but still too much is at risk.
"I tell you now Michael Gunner, we continue to stand strong together. Your decision to ban fracking only makes us more united."
But in a statement delivered through a spokesperson, Mr Gunner indicated the government would not be backing away from the decision.
The spokesperson also said the anti-fracking movement should not draw hope from the recent scrapping of the museum plans.
"While we acknowledge that some members of the community wanted a different decision, we based our decision off the final report of the fracking inquiry," the statement said.
"We encourage everyone passionate about this issue to stay involved in this process as the Government implements all 135 recommendations of the final report
Topics: government-and-politics, environment, environmental-impact, environmental-policy, business-economics-and-finance, darwin-0800