Chief Minister Natasha Fyles’ misleading claims that the Middle Arm Industrial Precinct will not include a petrochemical plant were designed for her own political interests, the Opposition CLP says.

Ms Fyles told the public on Tuesday that there would be no petrochemical plant at the proposed new Middle Arm Industrial Precinct, despite the NT Government’s own website showing the precinct will include “low-emission petrochemicals production” along with carbon capture and storage and advanced manufacturing.

“It is not a petrochemical plant in our harbour,” she said on ABC Radio, later doubling down and repeating the line during a press conference and accusing the Environment Centre NT of spreading “mistruths”.

“I’ve met with the Environment Centre NT and they’ve made that claim and I have utterly refuted that claim. This is not a petrochemical plant,” she said at the press conference.

“This is a sustainable future project that is based in renewable energy and the future.

“So I challenge the Environment Centre to stop making mistruths that are based on nothing but rubbish and actually get on board, be fully briefed in the facts of this project and support it.”

However, Ms Fyles’ claims have been contradicted by numerous government material, including information on different government websites, presentations by the NT Gas Taskforce and even the government’s own submission to the Environmental Protection Agency – all of which state there will be a petrochemical plant at Middle Arm for manufacturing purposes.

Opposition CLP Leader Lia Finocchiaro said Ms Fyles was the one spreading “mistruths” for her own political gain.

“Natasha Fyles needs the Greens to hold her seat. In doing so, she is throwing the future of the Territory under the bus,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

“Natasha Fyles is too slick and needs to stop the excuses. The Middle Arm Industrial Precinct must be a major part of the Territory’s future – her government’s own policy clearly states the precinct will be for manufacturing.

“If Middle Arm is no longer industrial, no longer to have manufacturing – what exactly is it for? It’s time to remind Natasha Fyles and the Greens that solar panels and wind turbines are made using gas.

“The fact that she has crumbled to pieces with the slightest bit of pressure from environmental groups over the purpose of middle arm shows she is only focussed on self-preservation.”

Ms Fyles’ office did not respond to the NT Independent’s questions.

Environment Centre NT director Kirsty Howey said earlier in the week that if Ms Fyles is serious about not wanting a petrochemical plant at Middle Arm, she should change the government’s public strategy and let Territorians “know the truth about what this potentially toxic project on their doorstep really is”.

The Federal Albanese Government has committed $1.5 billion to the project over seven years. Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King said this week that “it’s possible there will be petrochemicals there” as part of advanced manufacturing proposed for the site.

Ms Fyles said the government has still not secured industry commitments for the proposed precinct.