Warning over 'hidden' reality as big change comes to iconic Aussie national park

Yahoo

20 hours ago

One of Australia's most iconic national parks is about to undergo a drastic change. Litchfield National Park in the Northern Territory is about to expand by 30,000 hectares, with more campgrounds, walking trails and even a hunting range being opened to the public. But while the announcement has been largely applauded, environmental groups say more needs to be done to protect the territory's landscape.
The expansion follows the government's $7.5 million purchase of 'Silkwood', a stunning parcel of land near the regional town of Adelaide River, boasting waterfalls, gorges, hot springs and 4WD tracks. Described as the largest addition to the Territory's national park estate in 25 years, the acquisition will increase the park's size by 20 per cent.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the expansion was a key part of her government's vision to 'restore the Territory lifestyle'.
'This is exactly what restoring the Territory lifestyle looks like — protecting our wide-open spaces while making sure Territorians have more places to enjoy the activities we love,' she said.
The new southern section of the park will eventually be opened up for camping, swimming, four-wheel-driving, exploring, and potentially hunting, delivering a boost for tourism and recreation in the region.
The popular Robin Falls is included in the new expansion, with Finocchiaro promising visitors they can still bring their leashed dogs.
An opening date is yet to be set, with planning and budgeting underway for roads, pathways, signage and viewing platforms.
It comes just weeks after South Australia announced extensions to three national parks, adding an extra 725 acres to their estate of protected land.
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Environment Centre Northern Territory (ECNT) Executive Director, Kirsty Howey, called the deal 'a positive step', but told Yahoo News the government could be doing more to protect local lands.
"The Finocchiaro government has abandoned its commitment to deliver a 43 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, scrapped our renewable energy target, and unleashed bulldozers on the world's last intact tropical savanna," Howey said.
"The scale of destruction is staggering, yet it occurs largely hidden from public view on pastoral estates that comprise 45 per cent of the Territory's land."
In the first six months of this year, Howey said, the Finocchiaro government approved the destruction of almost 26,000 hectares of native vegetation — close to the size of the Litchfield expansion.
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She pointed to the Pastoral Land Board as a key issue, accusing it of routinely approving large-scale land clearing.
'Week after week, thousands of hectares receive rubber-stamp approval for bulldozing,' she said. 'On 13 June, this same board... approved clearing 3,300 hectares at Claravale Station. This isn't just any paddock, this site contains one of only five confirmed maternity roosts for ghost bats in the entire Territory.
"If habitat for bilbies and Gouldian finches were being destroyed at this rate near Melbourne or Sydney, there would be public outrage."
Adding to the concern is the spread of gamba grass, a highly invasive species that dramatically increases fire risk. Experts warn that if left unchecked, the weed could overtake more than 42,000 hectares of Litchfield by 2032.
'With more than 250,000 visitors annually, Litchfield faces a silent threat,' Howey said. 'Gamba grass creates extreme fire risks that endanger both visitors and the park's unique ecosystems.'
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