Joey risk 'very low': NT light festival

Projecting lights on to a mountain range in central Australia during an after-dark festival is unlikely to have a significant impact on local wildlife, organisers say.

A local wildlife expert is concerned the Parrtjima light festival near Alice Springs will affect native animals including black-footed rock wallabies, who are known to abandon joeys when stressed.

But NT Major Events Company general manager Andrew Hopper says government wildlife scientists have advised there is a "very low risk" involved.

He said the light show was a projection onto the ranges, light sources were about 600 metres away and the festival did not use any concentrated laser beams.

Similar lighting had been used for events staged successfully at Taronga Zoo, he said.

But wildlife guide Mark Carter, who has started an online petition to have the festival stopped, said the light show could result in the deaths of the legally-protected rock wallabies.

"Rock Wallabies have lived undisturbed on these cliffs for millennia- they should not be put at risk for the sake of a frivolous festival," Mr Carter said in his petition which has so far attracted more than 2300 signatures.

The Parrtjima festival will run until October 2 with 2.5 kilometres of the MacDonnell Ranges lit up by images of traditional Aboriginal art.