The proposed Middle Arm industrial area on Darwin Harbor will increase the risk of heart disease, asthma, and cancer, while fracking in the Beetaloo Basin, and the Barossa gas project off the coast of the Tiwi Islands, would contribute to the acceleration of climate change, the United Nations Special Rapporteur Marcos Orellana has warned.

The ABC reported that in Mr Orellana’s visit to Australia last week, the independent expert on toxins and human rights appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, cautioned that scientific research suggested gas projects could increase temperatures and accelerate global warming, saying petrochemical, oil, and gas projects would “threaten to make Darwin and the region a climate change sacrifice zone”.

He specifically criticised the Middle Arm development, gas fracking in the Beetaloo Basin, and the Barossa Gas Project off the coast of the Tiwi Islands.

“The Middle Arm project in Darwin, and the toxic substances it would release, raise health concerns in neighbouring communities such as asthma, heart disease and various forms of cancer,” Mr Orellana said.

“This project involves an industrial facility, in addition to a terminal for the export of liquefied natural gas. The project has been sited close to residential areas.”

And he said he was also concerned about fracking for gas in the Beetaloo Basin, following reports it could adversely affect communities and ecosystems in the region and “would also litter the landscape with toxic ponds of contaminated water”.

Mr Orellana, who met with government representatives from across Australia, industry representatives, academics, and First Nations people.

Despite his comments, and regardless of other concerns raised by experts about the Middle Arm project’s negative environmental and health impacts, NT Environment Minister Lauren Moss said the government support for the project was “very clear”.

“It is really important that we continue to invest in projects that will help us to diversify our economy in the Northern Territory, that will allow for the development of other newer energy sources and help create jobs,” Ms Moss said.

“As we have always said, Middle Arm will go through the highest level of strategic assessment. That’s what we should expect from a project of this size.”

The project is still awaiting approval from the NT Environment Protection Authority.

The Middle arm is being promoted by the NT government as a sustainable manufacturing hub focusing on developing green hydrogen, critical minerals, and carbon capture technology, and the Federal Government has promised $1.5 billion in infrastructure spending funding. It has been denounced by

Mr Orellana’s full report will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in September next year.