‘Diversification the key to our future’

To the people against the Narrabri Gas Project, I am struggling to understand how you think we can have a future for the next generation without diversification.

In reference to a recent letter, I too, would love nothing more than for my kids to be staring at the clear view of the mountains for many years to come.

However, the reality is the opportunities won’t be here, therefore it will only be for a visit.

The town needs to survive on more than visitors, we need people to live and work in the community.

Let’s cast back to when cotton was introduced to Australia.

Change, the environment and water were all major concerns for the region and the Australian Government.

Thankfully, back then they made an educated decision to proceed with the industry.

This industry has kept our region alive for decades, it has created major development and career opportunities that have seen this area thrive in many ways.

Due to the scale of land development that has since taken place, new technology and recent droughts, these opportunities are now limited.

The last decade has seen a major decline in regional areas, and Narrabri Shire has been heavily impacted.

The Narrabri Gas Project will create opportunities on a massive scale, the benefits far outweigh the negatives.

Due to the current pandemic, regional areas and the country as a whole need these opportunities to be created through diversification and change.

Food, fibre and energy resources are what will keep this country alive throughout this crisis, and Narrabri Shire is fortunate enough to be in a position to provide all of these resources.

We need to utilise them to our advantage.

People who are invested in this region should be grateful that Santos has selected our shire to invest its time and money, without this option the decline will continue.

To the people who made submissions in favour of the project – well done.

To the people who spoke in favour of the project – congratulations. Each and every one of you spoke with passion and commitment to the town.

Unlike many submissions from people against the project, I am a local, I genuinely care, I own a business in Narrabri, I employ people, I am the current generation and I want to offer my children the same opportunities that I had growing up in a thriving regional community.

Please give this generation and beyond opportunities to grow and prosper, like the cotton industry did many years ago.

Diversification is the key to our future and hopefully the Australian Government can also see the importance for not only Narrabri Shire, but the whole of Australia.

Justin Smith, Narrabri