Majority of Territorians against paying fees to use parks, according to NT News poll

TERRITORIANS have made it clear to the Gunner government that they don’t believe they should have to pay a fee to use our NT parks.

Territorians have made it clear to the Gunner government that they don’t believe they should have to pay a fee to use our NT parks. Pictured is Nitmiluk National Park. Picture: Che Chorley

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TERRITORIANS have made it clear to the Gunner government that they don’t believe they should have to pay a fee to use our NT parks.

From July 1, tourists and Territorians will be slugged a fee to use certain parts of parks and pay more to go camping under a controversial revenue-raising measure set to be announced next week by the government.

It’s unknown how much visitors will be charged or how the system will be policed.

An NT News poll of more than 570 people has more than 67 per cent of Territorians saying they do not want to pay any fees for Territory parks.

Thirty per cent said they do not mind paying a fee as long as the revenue raised was used to improve the parks.

Territorians were not so much concerned about interstate or overseas tourists paying the fees. Thirty three per cent said tourists should pay but not Territorians.

However, WA holiday-maker Nicole Beckett said she had always enjoyed visiting Territory parks and would hate to see a fee come in.

Kandie Lee said the Territory could kiss goodbye tourism.

Reader Gabrielle Johnson said absolutely not to fees.

Jan Johanna said the same, “no way”.

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Shane Martyn said we already paid enough for what we have.

Cameron Gibson said charging park fees was not how the Territory worked, while Edith Heiberg said she was happy to pay fees.