Litchfield National Park will receive $39 million in upgrades over 18 months
LITCHFIELD National Park will receive $39 million in upgrades over the next 18 months.
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LITCHFIELD National Park will receive $39 million in upgrades over the next 18 months, including $28.5 million to seal the remaining 14km of Litchfield Park Rd and a new bridge over the Lower Finniss River.
The high-expense, pre-budget pledge by Chief Minister Adam Giles yesterday was the latest in a number of recent promises to improve tourism infrastructure across the NT, an area he indicated would be a strong economic engine for the Territory after the Inpex project wrapped up.
“We know there will be a significant tilt towards tourism into the future and that’s why we’re investing now,” he said.
“(We’ve) repaired the budget through frugal fiscal management. But now we’re at a point where we’re investing in infrastructure.”
The pledge to seal the road was originally made by the former Labor Government in 2004, but was never carried through to implementation.
Mr Giles responded to questions around his Government’s level of commitment by pledging to have the upgrades done or mostly done by election time 2016.
READ: NEW TOUR TO OFFER BIRD EYE’S VIEW OF LITCHFIELD
“We want to see it all done as quick as possible,” he said.
The other upgrades to Litchfield National Park include $4.8 million to improve Florence Falls, $1.5 million for a Buley Rockhole redesign, $2.3 million to enhance Tolmer Falls, $1 million to upgrade park termite mounds and $710,000 to redesign the Sandy Creek campground.
About 35 new camp sites will be created as well as new paths, stairs and toilet facilities near Florence Falls.
Government figures indicate the upgrades to the park will deliver an annual economic benefit of $14.4 million.
The pre-budget spending frenzy began last week when the Giles Government announced a $31.5 million new school, $8.7 million to recruit 38 police officers, $4.5 million for motorsports events and a $4.75 million tourism infrastructure development fund.
An additional $25 million to seal 43km of Larrapinta Drive in Central Australia was announced on Sunday.
Despite the spend, Mr Giles continued to call the upcoming budget “frugal”.
“We’re making some very positive investments to support Territorians and also to support the growth in our economy,” he said.
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