The Jawoyn Association has welcomed the Northern Territory Government’s injection of $10 million to Nitmiluk National Park.

The Minister for Tourism and Culture Lauren Moss made the announcement on the banks of the Gorge alongside Jawoyn representatives including board chairperson Lisa Mumbin, board members Noelene Andrews and Melisa Rogers, Jawoyn Association CEO John Berto and Nitmiluk Tours CEO Jane Runyu-Fordimail.

“In the Katherine region, Nitmiluk National Park attracts approximately 250,000 visitors each year and we want to make sure they have the best possible experience when they visit the NT and tell their mates to visit,“ Ms Moss said.

“This budget announcement will ensure Nitmiluk National Park will continue to be a major tourist destination for years to come.”

The funding for infrastructure upgrades to improve the visitor experience will be invested over the next four years. As part of the first $2,45 million spend, the first gorge jetty and the crossover walkway between the first and second gorges will also be replaced and the jetty’s adjacent footbridge upgraded. The remaining $7.55 million is for upgrades that will be identified through a Visitor Experience Development Plan (VEDP) jointly developed by Jawoyn Association and NT Government.

“Jawoyn people and the Northern Territory Government have been joint-managing Nitmiluk since it was first handed back to traditional owners more than 20 years ago,” Ms Mumbin said.

“Under the motto of ‘sharing our country’ we established Nitmiluk Tours to manage tourism and offer an array of accommodation and touring experiences.

“An investment in infrastructure will further improve visitor experience and safety, which we hope will attract more people, promote economic activity in the region and further showcase our parks in the Northern Territory.”