Darwin will host the inaugural Gaslit Festival, a three-day music and community event organised by the Environment Centre NT in collaboration with the Australian Conservation Foundation, 350 Australia and Frack Free NT.

ECNT executive director Dr Kirsty Howey said the event aims to raise awareness, challenge the expansion of the gas industry in the Northern Territory, and send a message to gas corporations and political leaders that the community does not consent to gas fracking or the development of the Middle Arm gas and petrochemical hub.

“When corporations and governments push gas fracking onto communities without their consent, that’s gaslighting — making people doubt what they can see with their own eyes: the risks to their land, their water, and their future,” Dr Howey said.

“Gaslit Festival is our way of saying we know exactly what’s happening, we’re not confused, and we’re not staying silent.”

Dr Howey said attendees can expect a mix of live music, activities and community engagement focused on environmental advocacy, including Gaslit on the Harbour, a sunset cruise around Darwin Harbour with views of the proposed Middle Arm hub, the leaking Santos gas tank and the INPEX gas export facility.

The festival’s main event, Gaslit at the Rails, will feature live music at the Darwin Railway Club on the Saturday night, with performances by RONA., Ayebatonye, Zaza Zoo, DJ Adam Bandt and Sugar Booger.

On the Sunday afternoon, Gaslit at Sunset will close the festival at Sunset Park with live music, including Alice Cotton, as well as face painting and community stalls.

Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive officer Adam Bandt said the festival would bring together artists, First Nations voices and people from across the country.

“We won’t save the planet with doom and gloom — our plan is to have fun and dance alongside great Australian artists while working hard to hold governments and big corporations to account for trashing our environment,” Mr Bandt said.

DJ Ayebatonye said the festival was an opportunity for the community to mobilise against the environmental impact of gas development.

“I’m staunchly in support of stopping big gas corporations from ruining everything that’s good about the Territory. Gaslit Festival is a great way for us to mobilise and fight back as a community for the Territory’s future,” DJ Ayebatonye said.

The festival will run from Friday, June 19 to Sunday, June 21. Tickets are available at the ECNT website.