NT Budget: Territory Wildlife Park government funding almost doubled after years in the red

TERRITORY Wildlife Park is still expected to sink into the red this financial year, despite the NT government nearly doubling its annual funding to inject $6.7m into the park.

• Wildlife parks still losing millions despite bump in visitor numbers
• Territory Wildlife Park to stay in government hands despite losing $4.3m a year

TERRITORY Wildlife Park is still expected to sink into the red this financial year, despite the NT government nearly doubling its annual funding to inject $6.7m into the park.

The 2020-21 budget shows the government has doubled Territory Wildlife Park’s funding, with its community service obligation income rising from $3.9m in 2019-20 to $6.7m in 2020-21.

In contrast, the government’s funding for the Alice Springs Desert Park has remained stable at $3.7m.

Territory Wildlife Park has been in the red for years. It recorded a net deficit of $2.3m in 2020 after losing $2.5m in 2019, according to the Department of Tourism’s latest annual report.

The NT Government says it will continue to review and explore options for the future of the Territory Wildlife Park. Pictured is Tessa Walmsley with a rescued Barking Owl at the park. Picture: Michael Franchi

Opposition tourism spokeswoman Marie-Clare Boothby said the government needed to do more to ensure the park was running as efficiently as possible as a government asset.

However, Ms Boothby did not go as far as to say it should be privatised.

An NT government spokeswoman said options for the future of the park would continue to be reviewed and explored.

Crocodylus Park owner Graham Webb said it had become increasingly difficult for private operators to compete against the government-subsidised Territory Wildlife Park in the face of a declining tourist market.

“I’m definitely not saying it should be closed down because, believe me, Darwin needs all the tourist attractions possible,” Mr Webb said.

“It just makes it really tough when the only attraction that’s getting subsidised is the government’s own facility.”

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Visitor numbers to Territory Wildlife Park fell by about 25 per cent last financial year, down from 60,700 in 2018-19 to 46,100 in 2019-20.

The significant reduction has been largely attributed to COVID-19 travel restrictions and the park being closed for 29 days earlier this year.

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