Federal Government must step in urgently to fix Kakadu problems

THERE is serious trouble in Kakadu National Park and Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley must step in and urgently fix it

Visitors relaxing at Gunlom in Kakadu National Park ... Traditional owners have called for major changes in Parks Australia’s management of the park. Picture: Tourism NT/James Fisher

• Kakadu National Park in crisis as traditional owners revolt against management
• Top End tourism industry backs call for changes to Kakadu management
• Gunner open to taking Kakadu under NT Government control

THERE is serious trouble in Kakadu National Park and Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley must step in and urgently fix it.

Concerns over the Federal Government’s Parks Australia’s management of Kakadu has long been a source of concern.

Only recently the peak body representing Top End tourism questioned the delay in holding off the park’s reopening until June 17. Even then it has been done in stages. And yesterday the Mary River Roadhouse voiced its frustration saying Territorians would rather go to Litchfield than Kakadu because there are more areas accessible to use. That frustration is not just limited to the Top End tourism industry.

Aboriginal traditional owners are in revolt against the Parks Australia and declared no confidence in several members involved in running the park. The national park’s Board of Management is demanding their resignations.

The board contains 10 Aboriginal traditional owners who represent Kakadu clan groups. The Aboriginal traditional owners on the board have called on Minister Ley to remove the staff that are the source of their concern.

The traditional owner board members say they have lost all faith, confidence and trust in Parks Australia’s ability to effectively manage Kakadu. They have described the situation as “irretrievable”.

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Is this another reason the management of Kakadu National Park should be given to the NT Government?