Controversial draft laws aimed at speeding up major economic projects in the Northern Territory have sparked public outcry and concerns about environmental safeguards. Community members voiced their worries during consultations with Stuart Knowles, the interim Territory Coordinator, who is tasked with implementing the proposed legislation.
Stuart Knowles fronted community members in Palmerston to answer questions about controversial draft laws in a consultation session.Concerns about proposed changes to major project approvals in the NT have been raised during consultations for the controversial Territory Coordinator Bill. The interim coordinator says the laws will help avoid delays on major projects and jump start the NT economy, which is billions of dollars in debt.
Submissions from several community consultation meetings will be compiled into a report to government, ahead of the bill going before a scrutiny committee.Community members from across Darwin have expressed concerns and 'deep disappointment' during public consultation on controversial draft laws designed to fast-track major economic projects in the Northern Territory. If legislated by NT parliament next year, the bill would create an office of the Territory Coordinator which would have powers to label some private investments in the NT as economic priorities and take steps to fast-track environmental and planning approvalsInterim coordinator Stuart Knowles, who is the former NT general manager at oil and gas giant Inpex, has been holding town hall meetings in NT urban centres in recent weeks as part of final consultation for the bill. On Wednesday night he fronted a group of more than 150 people in the Darwin satellite city of Palmerston to explain the draft laws and respond to community concerns. The NT government has appointed a former Inpex boss as the first 'Territory Coordinator' in a bid to fast-track private investment. But critics have raised concerns that environmental safeguards will be 'sidestepped'. Mr Knowles faced a barrage of questions from the crowd on whether the bill was designed to 'cut corners'.'What we're doing is looking to streamline approvals, looking for efficiencies in those processes, provide certainty on timeframes to investors,' he sai
Northern Territory Economy Legislation Environment Development
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Family taking it ‘day by day’ after baby, mother injured in alleged Northern Territory home invasion7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Young Musterer Dies in Quad Bike Accident in Northern TerritoryAlasdair Cameron, a 23-year-old musterer from Queensland, died in a quad bike accident near Katherine in the Northern Territory. He was working as a contract stockman when the incident occurred on Saturday. Tributes poured in from friends and colleagues, praising Cameron as an exceptionally kind and unique individual.
Read more »
Woman dies from pre-existing head injury at Northern Territory shopping complex, investigation ongoing7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Northern Territory ministers declare exclusive Qantas Chairman's Lounge memberships after CLP's election winAn exclusive, invite-only Qantas high-flyers club now includes more than half of the new NT government frontbench, with the politicians all receiving membership as gifts.
Read more »
ASIC Orders Northern Territory Clothing Retailer Indy C to Stop Using CentrepayThe Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has ordered the Northern Territory clothing retailer Indy C to cease using the Centrepay bill-paying service over concerns of financial risk to vulnerable Aboriginal customers. Financial counsellors support the move and the federal government plans to remove appliance rentals and 'household goods' from Centrepay in July next year.
Read more »
Unexpected Cat Adoption in the Remote Northern TerritoryA city dweller moving to the remote Northern Territory of Australia unexpectedly adopts a stray cat on their first day.
Read more »