Time is right for the Prime Minister and Minister Ley to review just what Parks Australia is getting wrong

THE winds of change are blowing in the Territory’s international jewel, Kakadu National Park. Just days after the Kakadu Master Plan traditional owners are threatening site closures

THE winds of change are blowing in the Territory’s international jewel, Kakadu National Park.

Just days after the Kakadu Master Plan, the blueprint to breathe new life into the world heritage listed park, has been signed off on, traditional owners are threatening site closures.

The Kakadu Master Plan will guide a $276m rejuvenation of the World Heritage area as a national and international tourism destination.

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The land is jointly managed by Kakadu’s traditional owners and the federal government agency Parks Australia, which traditional owners claim has mismanaged Kakadu over a number of years.

National Parks director James Findlay resigned last August after rift with Traditional Owners erupted. This also coincided with the assistant secretary for Kakadu Dr Brandt Smith and Kakadu park manager Russel Gueho, moving to other roles within the department.

The ball is back in the Federal Government’s court to fix the unresolved problem. Environment Minister Sussan Ley has proven she wants to listen and work with Traditional Owners.

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So too Prime Minister Scott Morrison. The time is right for the Prime Minister and Minister Ley to review just what Parks Australia is getting wrong with its management of Kakadu. Someone needs to be given the job of working with Traditional Owners to get the relationship back on track.

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