Parks Australia boss Dr James Findlay resigns amid Kakadu National Park stoush, as Minister quietly travels to NT

National Parks director James Findlay resigns after Kakadu rift with Traditional Owners

The majestic Gunlom Falls located in Kakadu National Park, Traditional owners have called for the sacking of Parks Australia boss James Findlay, who resigned yesterday. Picture: Justin Kennedy

THE embattled head of Parks Australia has resigned amid an ongoing conflict between traditional owners and management at Kakadu National Park, days after a stealthy five-day visit to the NT by the minister in charge.

Parks Australia director James Findlay tendered his resignation on Tuesday, effective immediately, joining assistant secretary for Kakadu Dr Brandt Smith and Kakadu park manager Russel Gueho, who have both moved to other roles within the department.

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Dr Findlay’s resignation came just days after Environment Minister Sussan Ley made an under-the-radar trip to the Northern Territory.

The crisis, borne out of numerous allegations against management, includes a history of poor communication with tourism operators, the handling of a 2019 helicopter crash in the park and uncontrolled burns and bushfires in the World Heritage site in the past year.

James Findlay from Parks Australia has resigned after Traditional Owners called for his sacking. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

Arriving in Darwin on Monday and leaving on Friday, it’s understood Ms Ley met with stakeholders including the Northern Land Council and Kakadu National Park’s board of management.

She was also taken to Gunlom Falls clifftop pool, one of Kakadu’s most popular destinations and a flashpoint of the ongoing conflict.

The Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority has been investigating whether a sacred site near the pool was impacted during the construction of a walkway late last year.

In his resignation letter, Dr Findlay said the decision had been “difficult” but was in “the best interests” of Parks Australia and staff.

Ms Ley said deputy secretary James Larsen would act in the role and oversee the appointment of interim staff.

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Northern Land Council chief executive Marion Scrymgour said the peak body looked forward to working with Mr Larsen “to ensure that we can reset the agenda to make Kakadu a leading tourism destination and one that has the full support and engagement of all traditional owners of that country”.

“There are a number of ways we can see that would improve the partnership between traditional owners and Parks, and we look forward to working with traditional owners across Kakadu and Minister Ley’s department to work through these issues,” she said.