Some travellers are opting for bottled water.
The negative publicity surrounding PFAS contamination in Katherine has left many tourism operators in the grey nomad hotspot deeply concerned about its possible impact on visitor numbers.
Although most expect caravanners and motorhomers will still support the town despite fears over its drinking water, tourist numbers will be especially closely monitored this coming dry season.It was recently revealed that PFAS chemicals contained in firefighting foams and used at the Tindal RAAF Base between 1998 and 2004 had leached into neighbouring bores and the town’s drinking water.
The NT Government wants the Department of Defence to fund extra tourist promotions for Katherine, and the town will also benefit from the new $26.57 million funding for smarter and more targeted tourism marketing.
“We are taking action right now to drive tourism, attract more visitors, create local jobs and put more money into the pockets of Territorians,” Tourism Minister Lauren Moss told the Katherine Times. “Under our plan, we will also work more closely with our tourism industry, supporting it to grow and capitalise on this increased and unprecedented investment.”
The NT government has also recently announced the allocation of a further $5.5 million to expand walking opportunities in Nitmiluk National Park as part of the Government’s $103m Turbocharging Tourism stimulus package.
Ms Moss said this is on top of the existing $10 million that the government is investing in Nitmiluk over the next three years to upgrade, refresh and develop tourism infrastructure in the park.
“We continue working with Jawoyn traditional owners and this injection is in addition to our existing investment into tourism marketing and enhancing our visitor offerings,” Ms Moss said. “Nitmiluk National Park is known for its incredible country and walking trails, with people travelling from all over the world to experience the challenge of the 62-kilometre Jatbula Trail.”
All this money being spent to promote tourism in an area where the drinking water is contaminated, but not one cent to clean up the water via a treatment plant. Makes you wonder about the govt. Bring the tourists in then poison them.
Hi Alan,
A water treatment plant has been installed in Katherine to treat the water:
https://www.powerwater.com.au/news_and_publications/news/2017/power_and_water_successfully_installs_and_operates_katherine_water_treatment_plant
Well the old saying “The squeeky wheel gets the oil”
Of course being a grey nomad, I wouldnt be supprised at anything the govt did. But any money spent in the region should be readily accepted…