Latest news with #LitchfieldNationalPark
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Warning over 'hidden' reality as big change comes to iconic Aussie national park
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. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lia Finocchiaro MLA (@liafinocchiaromla) 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. Discovery in supermarket freezer lands man with $15,000 fine Aussie town transformed by 'rarely observed' phenomenon Brazen $300,000 act prompts 'crucial' caravan warning 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.' Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
ABC News
30-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
NT's Litchfield National Park to include Robin Falls as part of 30,000-hectare expansion
The Northern Territory's Litchfield National Park is set to grow by 20 per cent, in the largest addition to the popular tourist attraction in more than two decades. The NT government has purchased Silkwood, a 30,000-hectare parcel of land that borders Litchfield's south-east boundary, which it says will give Territorians and visitors more places to camp, four-wheel drive, swim and hunt. The $7.5 million property is located 120 kilometres from Darwin near the regional town of Adelaide River, and includes the popular Robin Falls. The government says the acquisition — the national park's biggest expansion in 25 years — will also make untouched waterfalls, gorges, hot springs and 4WD tracks available to visitors. NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the multi-million-dollar deal would conserve "what makes the territory special". Lands, Planning and Environment Minister Josh Burgoyne said the purchase would secure long-term environmental protection for the pristine region. "30,000 hectares of escarpments, woodlands and wetlands are being returned to public hands, protecting territory ecosystems and wildlife while opening up a range of incredible new recreational opportunities," he said. "This isn't just a map change — this is a transformational and visionary investment in our lifestyle, livability, and landscape." Parks and Wildlife Minister Marie-Clare Boothby said the government would work to identify opportunities within the new area, including "a new dedicated hunting reserve". "Silkwood has been on the market since last year, and there were real concerns that a private sale could limit future access." The announcement follows a dip in NT tourism post-COVID, but recent data from the Australian government's trade and investment commission suggests the territory might be bouncing back. While most jurisdictions recorded a decrease in domestic travellers during the March 2025 quarter, the NT saw a 34 per cent increase — up 45,000 trips compared to the March 2024 quarter. According to the NT government, more than 250,000 people visit Litchfield National Park each year to see much-loved sites including Wangi Falls, Buley Rockhole and Florence Falls. The national park's southern expansion is expected to boost those numbers further, which the government said would create "new opportunities for local tourism, services, and economic growth" in nearby Adelaide River. Publican Tim Carter, who owns the Adelaide River Inn Tourist Park, described the expansion as "great for the Territorians that love to get out there every weekend". "There's worries of people purchasing [regions like Silkwood] and closing them up, so for this to be open to all the punters, will be great." He said the announcement came during a "huge" tourism season that has kept his business "flat-out" during the dry.
