Northern Territory Police are preparing a significant public-safety operation in Darwin ahead of planned demonstrations targeting a major resources conference. Mounted officers and other police personnel are expected to monitor the event from Wednesday as environmental groups protest against the controversial Beetaloo Basin gas project.

The planned police presence comes as the first gas from Beetaloo Basin projects has begun flowing to homes and businesses in the Northern Territory. Environmental groups strongly oppose the development and have described the start of gas production as a major environmental concern.

Police will focus on maintaining public safety around the conference and managing any crowds or disruptions. The deployment does not mean that a crime has occurred; it is a preventative policing operation connected to planned protests.

The resources conference is scheduled to run for two days in Darwin, with demonstrations expected to draw attention to hydraulic fracturing and its potential environmental impacts. Authorities are preparing for the possibility of large gatherings and associated disruption.

Important: This is a Darwin public-safety/crime-related story, not a report of arrests or confirmed violent offences today. The protests are planned, and police are preparing for them in advance.