Well the verdict is out. But the greens aren't happy because it didn't go as far as they were promised before the election.
Here is what was said:
Fracking moratorium takes effect in NT, Chief Minister Michael Gunner says
By
Avani Dias
Updated about 4 hours agoWed 14 Sep 2016, 6:08pm
Photo: NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner announces the fracking moratorium. (ABC News: Avani Dias)
Map: Darwin 0800
A moratorium on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, begins today, with Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner announcing the move at an oil and gas summit in Darwin.
"I announce that the Government will as of today implement this election commitment to introduce a moratorium of hydraulic fracturing of the Territory's unconventional gas resources," Mr Gunner told the South East Asia Australia Offshore and Onshore Conference.
Mr Gunner, however, did not give land owners an assurance that the moratorium would stop mining companies from accessing their land to explore for gas.
"There'll still be exploration in the Northern Territory on a whole range of different permits from mining to other things and we do want mapping to happen for example or other activities in the general exploration field," he said.
"The moratorium includes exploration - you cannot hydraulically frack unconventional gas reserves for exploration - but general exploration activities which a lot of people do, not just onshore gas companies for unconventional gas reserves, that's all fine, you can explore the Northern Territory."
Draft terms of reference released
A draft terms of reference on the scientific investigation into the potential impacts of fracking was also launched today and Mr Gunner urged the public and industry to comment.
"You know better than anyone that our continued ability to expand the resources industry is completely dependent on the social approval and license of the people of the Northern Territory," he told those at the oil and gas summit.
