Media releases

Tuesday, 12 May 2009

Federal budget delivers on the NT environment

Lingiari National Parks from Kakadu to Uluru-Kata Tjuta and the Christmas Island National Park will receive the lion’s share of $26 million over four years to assist with management.

The Hon Warren Snowdon MP, Member for Lingiari, said the Federal Budget announcement is great news for those all across the Territory and countless other Australian and international visitors who cherish the NT and Christmas Island’s unique natural heritage.

“This is an important investment in park facilities that will support visitors while also preserving the incredible red crabs of Christmas Island, the Kakadu wetlands, and the exquisite desert landscape and biodiversity of Uluru,” Mr Snowdon said.

“The Rudd Government’s investment will overturn years of neglect by the previous Government who failed to adequately invest in visitor infrastructure.

“This funding will improve the quality of our parks and create job opportunities for the Territory. Kakadu and Uluru on their own support more than 1200 jobs in the Territory and across the country”.

An additional $7.6 million will also be spent on biodiversity management and feral animal and weed control in Kakadu National Park.

“This funding complements the reintroduction of park use fees in April 2010. The fee will be $25 for up to 14 days for each visitor over 16 years. Territorians are exempt.”

The Territory will also share in the Government’s commitment of over $69 million over five years to create 210 new environmental jobs for Indigenous rangers in remote and regional Australia.

Indigenous organisations will be able to secure funding for 100 Indigenous rangers, 60 flexible positions where rangers can work part-time or do seasonal work and still receive income support, and 50 trainee positions.

“This ongoing commitment to Working on Country and Indigenous rangers not only benefits our precious NT environment but creates jobs on country and on sea for remote Indigenous Territorians,” said Mr Snowdon.

“In the face of the global economic crisis, these investments in both the people and infrastructure that preserves our environment will help build sustainable regional economies, and Australia’s tourism industry.”

Copyright © 2004-5 Warren Snowdon MP. This page was last updated on 25 June 2009.