Media releases

Friday, 5 June 2009

$700,000 funding for Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Kakadu National Parks

More than $700,000 will be provided for three heritage projects at two of Australia’s most treasured World Heritage Sites – Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Kakadu National Parks. Funding was announced today by the Federal Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett, and the Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, as part of the Australian Government's $650 million Jobs Fund initiative.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce funding, through the Australian Government’s Jobs Fund, for work to commence on three Northern Territory heritage areas with outstanding natural and Indigenous values,” Mr Garrett said.

“As we celebrate World Environment Day it is timely that we announce funding that will help protect and conserve these natural wonders by making them more accessible to the public and also help manage the impact of tourism.”

Mr Garrett said funding for these World Heritage-listed places includes:

 • $227,500 Renovation of Access Path, Uluru- Kata Tjuta National Park. Funding will be used to upgrade and replace the existing access pathways at the Uluru Cultural Centre complex.

• $236,500 for the Access Track and Viewing Area – Lower Gunlom Plunge Pool, Kakadu National Park. This project will replace the existing track with a new track, bridge and viewing area providing people in wheelchairs access to views of the plunge pool and Gunlom waterfall.

• $236,500 for the Catfish Creek Walkway Bridge Refurbishment, Kakadu National Park. This will allow park visitors better access to the Catfish Creek area with visitors able to access the Sandstone and River bushwalk which is part of the Bardedjiligji walk.

Mr Snowdon welcomed the funding as important to the future of the Northern Territory community.

“As a result of this investment there will be local jobs for local people to improve paths, tracks and walkways that will ensure that the visitor experience will be a memorable one,” Mr Snowdon said.

“The $60 million set aside for heritage projects under the Jobs Fund is one of the largest investments in heritage conservation ever to be undertaken in Australia. It is designed to support and create jobs and develop skills that build both community and social infrastructure."

“This major investment in Australia’s historic, Indigenous and natural heritage provides real economic stimulus by focusing on projects that have an immediate employment impact, as well as ongoing economic benefits.”

The $60 million for community heritage projects has been developed in consultation with Senator Bob Brown as part of the Government's $42 billion Nation Building - Economic Stimulus Plan.

Funding previously announced for heritage projects includes $2.5 million for four Tasmanian convict sites and more than $550,000 to protect and conserve the Cottesloe home of World War II Prime Minister John Curtin. In addition, $2 million has also been announced for conservation works to Old Government House in Parramatta and more than $360,000 has been provided for walking and bike trails at Budj Bim in Victoria, one of the world’s oldest known traditional aquaculture systems.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Kakadu National Parks are included in both the World and National Heritage Lists and are protected through the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. For more information on Australia’s heritage projects visit www.heritage.gov.au

Media contact: Mr Garrett’s office, Ben Pratt 0419 968 734 Mr Snowdon’s office, Kate Sieper 0488 484 689

www.deewr.gov.au/tlcfvet

Copyright © 2004-5 Warren Snowdon MP. This page was last updated on 30 June 2009.