Territorians and tourists to be charged fees to use NT parks like Litchfield and Nitmiluk

TERRITORIANS and tourists are set to be slugged a fee to use the NT’s network of parks and pay more to go camping under a controversial revenue raising measure set to be announced by the government.

People enjoying Buley Rockhole in Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory. Photo: iStock

TERRITORIANS and tourists are set to be slugged a fee to use the NT’s network of parks and pay more to go camping under a controversial revenue raising measure set to be announced by the government.

The NT News has confirmed the NT government will introduce park use fees and raise camping fees across the Territory’s parks from July.

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The government manages 85 parks, reserves and protected areas but it remains unknown how many will be impacted.

It’s understood the details of the revenue raising measure are set to be released as early as next week following final ministerial sign-off.

The government confirmed Territorians would be charged discounted rates.

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

The government has argued the changes will “improve visitor experience to our parks and reserves and to ensure appropriate protection and conservation for future generations”.

The new fees will be worked into the government’s upcoming May budget.

The government first raised the idea of charging park use fees in early 2019 as part of its budget repair plan.

The then-Tourism, Sport and Culture Minister Lauren Moss said the NT government would “investigate models for introducing parks fees”.

“(This includes) reviewing current walking fees for major tracks and increases to our comparatively low camping fees,” she said at the time.

A visitor relaxing on the rocks at Florence Falls, Litchfield National Park. PICTURE: Jackson Groves.

Back then, the fees were suggested alongside the raising of number plate fees, an increase to pathology services and entry fees to selected museums and art galleries.

Opposition Parks and Rangers spokesman Bill Yan slammed the idea of park use fees, calling it “another example of Territorians suffering because of Labor’s economic mismanagement”.

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“If the Gunner Government is adamant this will go ahead, there needs to be thorough public consultation with locals and local tourism operators to see what impact this will have on Territorians and Territory businesses,” he said.