The Hon Peter Garrett AM MP
Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts
More than $33 million in new funding for national parks
Media release
12 May 2009
ENV 04
The Australian Government will invest an additional $26.0 million over four years to manage the Commonwealth's iconic national parks and improve park facilities and visitor infrastructure.
"Our national parks not only protect Australia's unique biodiversity - they are also key drivers of national and international nature-based tourism, worth tens of billions of dollars a year to the national economy," Environment Minister Peter Garrett said.
"Christmas Island's unique red crabs, Kakadu's stunning birdlife and wetlands and Uluru Kata Tjuta's awe-inspiring red desert landscapes are all vital contributors to regional economies.
"Kakadu and Uluru alone support more than 1200 jobs in the Territory and across the country", Mr Garrett said.
"The Rudd Government is redressing a decade of neglect, where inadequate investment by the previous Government failed to repair and upgrade the infrastructure that visitors rely on.
"This new investment will create job opportunities, particularly in northern and regional Australia. It will enhance the quality of our parks and help build sustainable long-term growth in remote Australia for nature-based tourism markets."
In addition, the Government will provide an extra $7.6 million over four years to protect Kakadu National Park's World Heritage values. This funding will supplement the Kakadu budget and complement the reintroduction of park use fees in April 2010.
"This supplementary funding will ensure that the park continues to protect biodiversity, control weeds and feral animals and manage visitor facilities," Mr Garrett said.
"In the face of the global economic crisis, these investments in our national parks are also vital investments in regional economies and Australia's tourism industry."
The additional investment also supports the National Landscapes program, a partnership between Tourism Australia and Parks Australia to identify Australia's exceptional natural and cultural experiences and promote them in the international tourism market.
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