Why?
Because...
1. Territorians have already felt the detrimental impacts of the gas industry’s activities in Darwin Harbour, and are very concerned about the significant threat to the health of the Harbour from massive gas-related heavy industry proposed for Middle Arm.
2. Top End coasts are at the forefront of climate change impacts in Australia:
a. the changing climate is having multiple effects on fish populations. For example, poor wet seasons have impacted Barramundi breeding on the Daly River, and the NT mud crab fishery was on the brink of collapse in 2016 due to high water temperatures,
b. the unprecedented mangrove dieback in the Gulf of Carpentaria affected 1,000 kms of coastline,
c. warming waters have impacted popular fishing spot Bynoe Harbour, and caused coral bleaching at the Cobourg Peninsula Marine Park and the Arnhem Land coast,
d. the sea level is rising twice as fast in the NT as elsewhere,
e. local scientists have warned that Darwin’s local flatback turtle populations could all be born female within 15 years, or worse, completely die out due to the warming climate.
Territory coasts are central to our economic success and our culture; keeping them healthy ensures our Territory lifestyle, fishing and tourism thrives into the future.
All this is at risk if we fail to protect our coasts.
Read the full submission here.