Fewer than one-fifth of Territorians are opposed to the gas industry and an increasing number back gas as an energy source, new research has revealed.

A day out from a two-day Senate Committee hearing into development at Darwin’s Middle Arm, a new poll has shown almost two-thirds of Territorians have a favourable view of the gas industry.

The study found half of Territorians surveyed were not aware of the Middle Arm development precinct but those that had, supported it overwhelmingly.

A big majority support the gas industry.

The Freshwater Strategy poll on behalf of the gas industry showed 58 per cent of Territorians supported gas, 18 per cent were neutral, six per cent unsure and 18 per cent held an unfavourable view.

Asked their preferred energy source, 80 per cent of Territorians

said solar, 56 per cent gas, 48 per cent backed nuclear and just 33 per cent favoured coal.

Renewable fuels are the favourite energy source for Territorians, with solar at 79 per cent, natural gas at 68 per cent, wind at 63 percent, nuclear 56 per cent and coal 43 per cent.

And despite – or perhaps because of – green attacks on gas, support for the fuel has surged in the NT over the past two years.

Gas graph March 9 2024

The survey found since December 2022, net support for solar had increased by one per cent to 69 per cent, while net support for natural gas has increased 19 per cent to 51 per cent, wind has remained neutral at 45 per cent and nuclear has also had a 20 per cent surge to 38 per cent support.

The survey showed only Greens supporters opposed more energy from gas.

Labor voters favoured solar, wind and natural gas and CLP voters backed natural gas, solar and nuclear.

Greens only support solar and wind and oppose gas, coal and nuclear energy.

Plans to develop an industry hub at Middle Arm with $1.5bn in equity from the federal government have cut through with most voters with 47 per cent saying the were aware of the precinct proposal and 46 per cent unaware.

Fifty four per cent of Territorians support Middle Arm, 15 per cent oppose it and 31 per cent are unsure.

Only the Greens continue to oppose the development with only 39 per cent in favour of Middle Arm and 47 per cent against. Sixty four per cent of Labor voters back the development and 61 per cent of CLP and independent candidates support the plan.

About 1100 people were surveyed in January 2024 for the poll, with a 3 per cent margin of error.

Source: The NT News