Election day is on in the Northern Territory where green groups, tourism operators and doctors fear an industrial expansion will harm Indigenous residents and wildlife.

Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct has the backing of Labor and the Country Liberal Party as well as a $1.5 billion commitment from the Federal government.

It would be the biggest industrial development in Darwin’s history and a global first by being powered largely by renewable energy, according to planning documents.

While environmental groups and activists have been campaigning to stop the project,  NT Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price says interstate environmentalists are blocking industrial projects that could benefit Indigenous people.

Local Larrakia elder Eric Fejo says Middle Arm would be “yet another sorry chapter in the history of the genocide of Aboriginal people”.

And the Nurrdalinji Aboriginal Corporation, which represents native title holders from the Beetaloo Basin, is calling for the Territory to be “frack-free” instead of allowing Tamboran to process gas for export.

“Governments and mining companies have made plans to frack our country and send the gas to the Middle Arm gas hub, believing this is more important than the lives of our people and our future,” Djingili elder Janet Gregory said.

Eva Lawler (left) and Lia Finocchiaro have debated the economy, crime and renewable energy. (AAP)

“They have dollar signs in front of their eyes as if we, our country, culture and language don’t exist.”

Modelling by consulting firm EY shows Middle Arm would reap up to $700 million in annual Territory taxes and up to $2.4 billion for the federal government.

The project is intended to support a nascent hydrogen industry, ammonia and methanol, the processing of battery minerals, gas production and carbon capture.

Smart Energy Council Chief Executive John Grimes believes it should stand as a demonstration of Australia’s push to become a renewable energy and critical mineral superpower.

Environmental approval of a development that could supply enormous amounts of green power to the precinct is encouraging, he says.

A Senate inquiry last week questioned the integrity and climate impact of the Middle Arm plan.

It then recommended the proposed precinct – and Federal subsidy – be redirected to support clean technology.

Independent senator David Pocock called for an investigation into the funding aspect, saying it was committed without evidence of clear value for money or a proper risk evaluation.

The inclusion of petrochemicals would turn Darwin into “Australia’s very own Cancer Alley”, he said.

The Greens claimed the Albanese government’s Future Made in Australia agenda was at risk, along with wildlife including dolphins and the critically endangered far eastern curlew.

The industrial redevelopment of Darwin Port would be the biggest in Darwin’s history. (AAP)

Local residents, small businesses, tourism operators and fishermen are strongly opposed, according to inquiry chair and Greens environment spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young.

“Widespread opposition to the current Middle Arm proposal was loud and clear but sadly Labor and Liberal are too close to the big corporations and are not listening,” she said.

Greens candidate Suki Dorras-Walker is running in the winnable seat of Fannie Bay and needs an extra 300 or so votes, according to the party.

Doctors and nurses against the industrial precinct have cited international studies alleging petrochemical plants result in a 30 per cent increased risk of leukaemia, which predominantly affects children, for populations within 5km.

Environmental groups doubt the ability of the NT government to regulate the project to prevent risks to the environment and health of residents.

Victorian senator Lidia Thorpe has slammed the “real lack of genuine consultation and a disregard for the need to obtain free, prior and informed consent”.

But activists have been told to butt out of the Top End by NT senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price who says interstate environmentalists are blocking industrial projects that could benefit Indigenous people.

However, local Larrakia elder Eric Fejo says Middle Arm would be “yet another sorry chapter in the history of the genocide of Aboriginal people”.

Eric Fejo, right, says Middle Arm would be another chapter in the genocide of Indigenous Australians. (Annette Lin/AAP)

Nurrdalinji Aboriginal Corporation, which represents native title holders from the Beetaloo Basin, is calling for the Territory to be “frack-free” instead of allowing Tamboran to process gas for export.

“Governments and mining companies have made plans to frack our country and send the gas to the Middle Arm gas hub, believing this is more important than the lives of our people and our future,” Djingili elder Janet Gregory says.

“They have dollar signs in front of their eyes as if we, our country, culture and language don’t exist.”

Modelling by consulting firm EY shows Middle Arm would reap up to $700 million in annual Territory taxes and up to $2.4 billion for the Federal government.