Origin Energy’s plans to frack the Northern Territory came under fire during a Southern Cross University (SCU) alternative-fuels event last week.
Gasfield Free Northern Rivers members say they attended the SCU event, EnergyLab Northern Rivers: Embracing Electrification and Alternative Fuels, which included a representative from corporate sponsor Origin Energy.
Philippa Cutter from Gasfield Free Northern Rivers said, ‘It’s important to highlight the dodgy plans Origin Energy has to frack the Northern Territory, without the consent of traditional owners and the community at a time when the planet is facing a climate crisis’.
‘While we support the work of EnergyLab and particularly enjoyed hearing about the work… we believe it’s important to call out Origin’s attempts to present itself as a clean-energy company, while it is in fact poised to pollute some of Australia’s most unique places with fracking’.
Origin replies
An Origin Energy spokesperson refuted claims that it does not have consent of traditional owners and the community, yet did not deny that it holds exploration permits in the Northern Territory.
They told The Echo, ‘We have been working with our traditional owners on sacred site clearances.’
Amanda King from Gasfield Free Northern Rivers added the Origin spokesperson at the SCU event was asked if ‘Origin would be prepared to leapfrog fossil fuels, embrace renewable energy and storage solutions.’
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