03/05/2006 – Greg Hunt
MP, Parliamentary Secretary with ministerial responsibility
for Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, and Senator
Nigel Scullion, Senator for the Northern Territory,
today announced an immediate funding of $5.45
million to begin work on a new sunrise viewing
area for Uluru.
The new sunrise area will be
located south of the current site. It will include
new road access, a car and bus park, and a viewing
platform which will allow visitors to see the
sun rise over both Uluru and Kata-Tjuta.
"Uluru is arguably Australia's
most recognized icon, and a major drawcard for
international tourists," Mr Hunt said.
"More than 400,000 visitors come to Uluru-Kata
Tjuta National Park every year, contributing an
estimated $400 million to the Australian economy.
"We expect double those
numbers in ten years time. Nearly every visitor
will want the unforgettable experience of seeing
the sun rise over the rock - and the current sunrise
area simply won't cope.
"This funding means that work can start immediately
on a new world class facility befitting this fantastic
World Heritage Area. For tourists, the outback
dawn will be even more memorable as they watch
the sun bathe both Uluru and the magnificent Kata
Tjuta."
Mr Hunt thanked the traditional
owners of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park for their
support for tourism on their country.
"I would like to thank
the Chairman of the Board of Management, Donald
Fraser and the rest of the Board for their commitment
to working with Craig Catchlove and his colleagues
at the Central Australian Tourism Industry Association
to shape this sunrise vision," Mr Hunt said.
"My thanks too to Senator Nigel Scullion
for his commitment to the sunrise project."
Senator Scullion said the new
viewing site would enrich the experience of increasing
numbers of local and international visitors to
Uluru.
"The new site is ideal.
It offers wonderful views throughout the day and
great photographic opportunities that will internationally
showcase the unique landscape of the Northern
Territory," Senator Scullion said.
"We hope that the tourism industry and the
traditional owners will be able to develop a range
of new visitor experiences on this site."
"This funding comes on
top of the $1.77 million the Australian Government
recently made available to Kakadu to accelerate
implementation of the report, A Shared Vision
for Tourism in Kakadu National Park," Mr
Hunt said.
"We believe parallel development
of tourism infrastructure and the creation of
new visitor experiences in both parks will pay
economic dividends in the future.
"The Australian Government is committed to
ensuring that both Uluru and Kakadu remain globally
acclaimed World Heritage Areas and prime international
tourist destinations."
The new funding for sunrise infrastructure comes
on top of some $15 million in Uluru's annual budget.
