There are mounting fears that grey nomads and other visitors to the Northern Territory’s wildly popular Litchfield National Park could soon be slugged with some form of entry fees.
Having decided to spend $17.5 million on road and infrastructure upgrades in the park, the NT Government is doing little to quell concern that the investment will be a precursor to new charges.
Litchfield National Park, which attracted more than 330,000 visitors last year, is currently free to access. However the nearby Kakadu National Park, which saw 200,000 visitor last year and is managed federally by Parks Australia, charges adults $40 and children $20 for access during the dry season.
According to the ABC, Treasurer Nicole Manison announced in April that park fees were part of the NT Government’s plan to repair the region’s debt-stricken budget.
While details of these proposed fees have not yet been made public, Tourism Minister Lauren Moss pointed out that collecting fees from park visitors was ‘common practice’.
“Collecting fees, which is common practice across the world, recognises their value in terms of conservation and visitation and ensures they can be maintained to a high standard and continue to be enjoyed by future generations,” she told the ABC. “We need to look at the different models that might be put in place around this.”
Ms Moss said permits were not required at Litchfield National Park currently, and said broader questions about the system going forward had not yet been decided. However, she said the Government would strive to ensure the new fees did not ‘disadvantage locals’.
Tourism NT’s Tony Quarnby conceded that some potential visitors to Litchfield may be deterred from visiting new areas if they had to pay.
“Because they’re traditionally free access, especially for locals, I think it would be problematic to look at charging in the future,” he told the ABC. “However, on a logistical basis the cost has to be covered in some way … if people value the experiences they’ll be willing to pay for them.”
The Government’s new investment will see hidden corners of Litchfield National Park opened up, with new roads connecting four wheel drivers to more camping grounds and swimming spots.
It is believed that the infrastructure upgrades could see the park accommodate an extra 60,000 people annually.
Yes, happy to pay a reasonable fee. We need to understand we can’t have access to these wonderful areas for free. Roads need to be maintained, toilets need to be cleaned, all this costs money and the old adage of user pays should apply.
Spot on Steve…!!! To protect and enhance these beautiful Aussie areas, we need funding, so, using common sense entrance fees, bring it on.
Agree with a fee, provided the funds are used for park maintenance and infrastructure upgrades.
If the charge was not excessive I can see no problem. Once you start having to pay $20 per person it will deter visitors which is such a pity as it is a beautiful and unique place.
I would be happy to pay a nominal fee per vehicle rather than per person.
The more fees that are introduced will impact on grey nomads who have limited resources and therefore will avoid visiting these places.
I think if there are going to be fees. It should be per car. Not per person and the locals should be for free.
We loved Litchfield National Park and were surprised when we entered the Park that there was no entry fee. If an entry fee meant that the money went toward constant maintenance of roads, camping areas and toilets etc we would be happy to pay.
We are happy to pay a nominal fee as it is not hard to understand upkeep and overheads exist, unfortunately Uluru and Kakadu are outside our budget.
Why do we have to pay entry fees? We already pay for parks with tax`s we already pay. All parks have a budgets from our tax`s why should we pay more. Why should locals get free access when everybody else has to pay. Here In Western Australia indigenous people pay no entry fee into parks. Some may say its their land but I say its my country too….not fair.