$1.77 MILLION FOR KAKADU IN GOVERNMENT TOURISM RESPONSE

17/03/2006 - Greg Hunt MP, Parliamentary Secretary with ministerial responsibility for Kakadu National Park, Senator Nigel Scullion, Senator for the Northern Territory and David Tollner MP, Member for Solomon, today released the Australian Government's response to the report A Shared Vision for Tourism in Kakadu National Park.
"The Australian Government strongly supports the Shared Vision and its recommendations," Mr Hunt said.
"Kakadu is a World Heritage jewel, with rich Aboriginal culture, fabulous landscapes and an outstanding array of plants and animals. We are determined to see it fulfil its potential as an international tourist drawcard, creating new jobs and opportunities for traditional owners and the tourism industry alike.
"The Government has therefore decided to make an additional $1.77 million available for immediate action to accelerate the implementation of the Shared Vision.
"This funding is in addition to more than $2 million that the Government has already invested in carrying out the Shared Vision recommendations. This new funding will speed development of crucial tourism policies."
The funding includes:
• $150,000 to develop a destination brand for Kakadu in a national context
• $150,000 to complete the Tourism Master Plan
• $320,000 to carry out a signage review including current and new directional and interpretative signs
• $500,000 to work cooperatively with the Northern Territory Tourist Commission on the Kakadu advertising and promotion campaign
• $150,000 to plan the first suite of Kakadu experiences which meet market demand and attract new and profitable market niches
• $500,000 to develop new visitor experiences in the Twin Falls area
Member for Solomon David Tollner said he was delighted that the Australian Government was so strongly supporting the repositioning of Kakadu National Park.
"This money means that as soon as the new Management Plan is adopted by the Board, they will be able to consider a range of new visitor experiences and proposed new developments," Mr Tollner said.
"The funds will also allow for joint promotion of Kakadu with the Northern Territory Government and some urgent capital works in the Twin Falls area," Senator Scullion said.
Mr Hunt said the Government had decided that the Shared Vision recommendations extended beyond Kakadu and have relevance to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park as well.
"We believe that cross-promotion of these two iconic World Heritage Areas and parallel development of tourism infrastructure will pay economic dividends in the future. We are considering how the Shared Vision recommendations apply to Uluru, and will make an announcement in the near future," Mr Hunt said.
"I thank both John Morse and the Kakadu Board for their invaluable contributions. I particularly thank Dave Tollner and Senator Nigel Scullion who relentlessly helped make the case for this funding to all relevant Ministers in Canberra."