The NT’s burgeoning cotton industry has attracted media attention for delivering on a key element of the NT government’s vision for its broadacre cropping strategy – generating much needed income for the local economy.

NT News Limited Business Editor Cam Smith has reported on Katherine Gin’s first season having an immediate effect on the key regional economy with ‘more than 30 jobs and close to a $100m bounty to the Katherine region since its official opening last December.’

Cotton grower David Connolly from Tipperary Group told News Corp publication the value to Katherine region was up to $100m when direct and indirect economic benefits were considered.

In the article, published in many News Corp publications around the country, David said the season was in line or better than expectations.

“It was a brand-new gin and brand-new machinery and we expected it would perform well, and within weeks we were producing 1000 bales per 12-hour shift.”

Mr Connolly said the Katherine gin produced 55,994 cotton bales this year and could process up to 100,000 bales in coming years as northern Australian cotton production increases.

The NT cotton industry has been targeted by environmental activists and their supporters with some saying the industry would not generate any return for the NT economy. Other baseless claims included suggestions that rivers would run dry – a fallacy not lost on Mr Connolly, in his interview with the NT News:

“We’re also happy to report that even with the development that has occurred for cotton in the Territory, the rivers are still flowing the barra are still biting, the birds are still singing and the environment is as healthy as ever.”

Mr Connolly highlighted that they have stuck to their word – growing the Territory economy, creating jobs and looking after the environment.