Latest news with #ParksAustralia
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Major development after Aboriginal group shut down spectacular swimming spot for SIX years
A spectacular swimming hole in the Northern Territory will reopen after the traditional owners closed it off from the public for six years. The famous Gunlom Falls in Kakadu National Park was closed after Parks Australia built a walkway up to a scenic view. Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) launched legal action claiming the work was done near a sacred site without their permission. Under the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act, all construction work must be agreed to and signed off by the AAPA. The dispute went to court with the federally run Parks Australia fined $200,000 and issuing an apology. However, traditional owners from the Gunlom Aboriginal Land Trust have given the green light for Parks Australia to reopen the falls to the public. It comes as Northern Land Council has negotiated a new lease agreement with the federal government for Kakadu National Park, with increased rent of $10.7 million per year. Parks is now conducting final safety checks ahead of a planned reopening for the falls in late May. After the rainy season from November to April, the site has a roaring waterfall cascading down 85-metre cliffs to an emerald billabong. The falls also offer stunning views across the south of Kakadu National Park. The billabong will be open for swimming during the dry season from May to October. There is a public campground near the base of the falls, complete with showers and toilets, while the nearest accommodation is Cooinda Lodge, about an hour away by 4WD. The falls, previously known as UDP falls after the Uranium Developing and Prospecting Company, have long attracted tourists to the Northern Territory. In 1986 the site appeared in the movie Crocodile Dundee.
The Age
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Age
After six difficult years, spectacular Aussie swimming spot to reopen
It's a top time to be in the Top End. One of Kakadu's most popular natural attractions, Gunlom Falls, is set to reopen, just as soon as the conditions are right. This concludes a difficult six years during which the Traditional Owners closed the falls to visitors due to the disturbance of a sacred men's site by Parks Australia while building a walkway. The parties ended up in court, with the end result being a $200,000 fine for Parks Australia, the largest penalty ever under the Northern Territory's Sacred Sites Act. But now, Traditional Owners from the Gunlom Aboriginal Land Trust have given approval for Parks Australia to reopen Gunlom. There's been a lag between that happening and the actual opening while Parks Australia ensures the safety of the site, particularly as water levels remain high following late seasonal rain. Meanwhile, roadworks, crocodile surveys and general maintenance of campgrounds, walking tracks and amenities have been underway. Parks is working towards Gunlom opening in late May following final safety checks. Traditional Owners will be given greater say about their Country in Kakadu under a new, first of its kind partnership agreement between the Northern Land Council and the Australian government. Under the new agreement, Kakadu's Traditional Owners will be better supported to live and work on Country and will contribute to their own economic development fund. This will support projects such as housing and infrastructure improvements as well as business and employment opportunities.
Sydney Morning Herald
18-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
After six difficult years, spectacular Aussie swimming spot to reopen
It's a top time to be in the Top End. One of Kakadu's most popular natural attractions, Gunlom Falls, is set to reopen, just as soon as the conditions are right. This concludes a difficult six years during which the Traditional Owners closed the falls to visitors due to the disturbance of a sacred men's site by Parks Australia while building a walkway. The parties ended up in court, with the end result being a $200,000 fine for Parks Australia, the largest penalty ever under the Northern Territory's Sacred Sites Act. But now, Traditional Owners from the Gunlom Aboriginal Land Trust have given approval for Parks Australia to reopen Gunlom. There's been a lag between that happening and the actual opening while Parks Australia ensures the safety of the site, particularly as water levels remain high following late seasonal rain. Meanwhile, roadworks, crocodile surveys and general maintenance of campgrounds, walking tracks and amenities have been underway. Parks is working towards Gunlom opening in late May following final safety checks. Traditional Owners will be given greater say about their Country in Kakadu under a new, first of its kind partnership agreement between the Northern Land Council and the Australian government. Under the new agreement, Kakadu's Traditional Owners will be better supported to live and work on Country and will contribute to their own economic development fund. This will support projects such as housing and infrastructure improvements as well as business and employment opportunities.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Aussie national park spot hugely popular with campers reopens to the public after years
After six years of closure and a long-running dispute over cultural site protection, one of the country's most popular waterfalls is again set to open to tourists. Gunlom Falls, an iconic spot in the Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory, will officially reopen next month. It has been closed since late 2019, when the construction of a new walkway inadvertently disturbed a site sacred to the Jawoyn people, the traditional custodians of the land. The Northern Land Council (NLC) described the disturbance as a "deeply disrespectful violation" of Traditional Owners' rights. Parks Australia was later fined $200,000 under the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Act, admitting fault and issuing a public apology in 2021. After years of negotiations, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek confirmed a new lease agreement had been secured between the Commonwealth and Kakadu's traditional owners, allowing the park to move forward. Gunlom Falls has long been a favourite among campers, offering breathtaking views, natural infinity pools and a serene bush setting perfect for an overnight stay under the stars. The Northern Land Council successfully negotiated an increase in annual rent to $10.7 million, up from previous figures, as part of the new lease terms, the NT News reported. Traditional Owners will now receive 50 per cent of commercial revenue, including entry fees, permits, camping charges, and licence fees, providing a greater financial return to Indigenous custodians. Online, Australians were overjoyed to hear the news. "Beautiful place. Please take care of it," a woman said. "How exciting," another wrote. "Please go! This place is truly magic," another commented. Gunlom Falls, located in Kakadu's rugged southern "stone country" region, is accessible only by 4WD, with the nearest hub being Cooinda, about an hour away, and Darwin, 4.5 hours. The falls have long been a favourite among Territory visitors, famous for their tiered rock pools, panoramic views and emerald-green swimming holes. Calls for major change at famous Aussie waterfall after double tragedy Tourists slammed for ' stupid' behaviour at notorious Aussie crossing Crocodile warning sign ignored by men 'with a death wish' They reach peak flow just after the wet season, making May the ideal time for reopening, with the newly constructed access track about a 15 to 20 minute hike. The reopening is expected to be a major boost for tourism in Kakadu, aligning perfectly with A Taste of Kakadu — a popular festival celebrating Indigenous culture, bush food and local storytelling which runs in late May. Kakadu Tourism Chair Lauren Ganley called it a "new era", emphasising the need for cultural respect in future park developments. "There is no destination in Australia more culturally unique than Kakadu," she said. "It's essential we present it in a way that respects the heritage and wishes of Traditional Owners. "The reopening of Gunlom Falls is part of a wider program to upgrade infrastructure to allow visitors to better appreciate Kakadu's natural wonders. Another major attraction — Twin Falls — will reopen next dry season after infrastructure upgrades, and there are plans for significant investment throughout the park to re-establish it as one of the world's leading national parks." With Qantas resuming direct Darwin-Singapore flights, tourism in Kakadu and the broader Northern Territory is expected to see an upswing. Meanwhile, Cooinda Lodge is upgrading its Outback Retreat glamping tents, with plans to add ensuite facilities to 10 of the 20 air-conditioned tents in preparation for increased visitor numbers. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Authorities admit guilt over 'heartbreaking' damage to sacred site: 'This place needs to be healed'
Park authorities exist to protect green spaces and vital ecosystems, but sometimes, they get things very wrong. In Australia, traditional groups have fought back after Parks Australia built a walkway over sacred rock art near Gunlom Falls in Kakadu National Park. National Indigenous Times reported Parks Australia admitted criminal liability after the organization's actions in 2019, and it has now applied for an authority certificate to work with Aboriginal groups to set things right. Citing Junggayi (traditional policeman) Joseph Markham, National Indigenous Times detailed that "Gunlom Falls sits at the bottom of Buladjang (Sickness Country), where the Bula creation spirit sleeps." "[Markham said] the men's site under Jawoyn law is forbidden for women but when the walkway was built over it, not only did it disturb Bula, it risked making women and children sick when they visited Gunlom Falls." Despite working alongside Parks Australia and coming to an agreement that any plans would be built around and above the sacred site, clan groups were devastated to discover that the area of construction had been changed by a project manager who "did not understand the significance of [the walkway's] route." Rachael Willika, a Bolmo traditional owner, told the National Indigenous Times that Parks Australia "shattered" her spirit, noting that the organization needs to pay a "big price" for the damage caused. "So that place we need it to be healed," she said in court. "This place needs to be healed. This country needs to be healed." According to the Guardian, Parks Australia has been ordered to pay a $200,000 AUD fine for the walkway deviation. This is in addition to the $500,000 in compensation that traditional owners need to receive for lost earnings after the park was closed to tourists for five years since 2019 amid legal proceedings. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Park groups need to be mindful of how construction activity can impact the local community and the wider ecosystem. But we all need to consider our actions, too. That means respecting natural areas and leaving them as good as we found them — or better. Littering, vandalism, destruction of ancient art, and disturbing wildlife are all examples of things that should not be tolerated and that should be called out when we see them happening. Respecting Indigenous groups and nature is essential to ensure we can all live in harmony and continue to enjoy the many benefits that time outdoors can bring. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
