Media releases

Monday, 16 June 2008

First stage of Uluru project opens

The first stage of the new Uluru-Kata Tjuta viewing area project was completed today, with the opening of a new eight kilometre road around the Rock .

Federal Member for Lingiari, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, said the new road offers visitors vastly improved views of Uluru, taking them into areas of the landscape that were previously inaccessible.

“This is a fantastic milestone in the development of the new Uluru-Kata Tjuta viewing area, with stage one coming in on time and on budget,” said Mr Snowdon.

“As well as improving access to Uluru, the new road provides easier access to the Cultural Centre where visitors can learn about the park’s World Heritage living cultural landscape.

“Today’s opening clears the way for work to start on construction of the viewing area itself, which means putting in shade structures, visitor walkways, elevated paths and viewing platforms at the new site.

“I am delighted to announce that Alice Springs company Probuild (NT) Pty Limited has been contracted to complete the next stage of the project.

The new viewing area will replace the existing sunrise viewing area on the eastern side of Uluru, and will provide better parking, infrastructure and views. The location and design were all decided in close consultation with the traditional owners as part of the joint management of this World Heritage Area. The site will offer new business opportunities for Aboriginal people and improve the protection of cultural sites and should be in operation by the end of February next year.

“Watching the sun rise against Uluru is a truly stunning experience, so you can understand why the old sunrise viewing spot has become so popular over the years,” Mr Snowdon said

“The park now welcomes up to 1,200 people to the old viewing spot each morning and that is well over the numbers that it was originally designed for, which is why having this new viewing area is so important.”

For more information visit www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru/

Ends.

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