Two week wait to reopen Kakadu to cost tourism operators more than $1m

PARKS Australia’s decision to keep Kakadu National Park closed until June 19 will cost tourism operators more than $1 million over the next fortnight.

Tourism operators are suffering the financial consequences of the decision by Parks Australia to keep Kakadu National Park closed until June 19. Picture: Supplied

• Kakadu’s official reopening date finally revealed

PARKS Australia’s decision to keep Kakadu National Park closed until June 19 will cost tourism operators more than $1 million over the next fortnight.

Tourism Top End chief executive officer Glen Hingley said Kakadu tourism operators were hit hard by the last-minute advice by Parks Australia.

“Many businesses in Kakadu were of the understanding there was a very good prospect parts of the park would be re- opened as of June 5 and some were encouraged to get ready,” Mr Hingley said.

“Tourism operators in the Top End have done all we can to maintain open dialogue with Parks Australia and asking for as much advice as possible so these businesses can properly plan and be sustainable and able to deliver great experiences. At the last hour this can now not occur.”

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He said Tourism Top End was extremely disappointed parts of the famous national park would not be opened before the long weekend.

“The decision not to re-open parts of Kakadu is devastating to the region’s already fragile tourism industry,” he said.

“The NT tourism industry estimates this announcement has an opportunity cost to tourism operators over $1 million over the next fortnight.”

Mr Hingley said the Federal Government was sending mixed messages, saying there was no medical reason for borders to be closed, while at the same time Kakadu was kept closed.

“The tourism sector has been doing all it can to prepare for the lifting of border restrictions,” he said.

“Remote indigenous communities are no longer closed to all non-essential travel as part of the coronavirus response, so it makes no sense for Kakadu to remain closed until 11.59pm June 18.”

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Park director James Findlay ruled out opening earlier, saying high visitor demand after a long period of isolation, the need to protect visitors and those working in the park, and the unique cultural and safety considerations in the park required a cautious approach.

“As we have seen in national parks throughout Australia, there is high demand from visitors to get back to the great outdoors,” Dr Findlay said.

“We are carefully planning how we will maintain physical distancing, support good hygiene and comply with guidance on public gatherings, particularly in high-visitation sites.”