KAKADU GETS $200M BOOST

KAKADU National Park will get a boost worth more than $200 million, with both major parties committing to revitalising the World Heritage-listed Northern Territory site.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited the town of Jabiru yesterday to announce the coalition’s $216 million package.

The Government’s plan includes $70 million for road upgrades and up to $111 million to improve tourism infrastructure.

“As a government we are committed to our stewardship responsibilities to this unique national treasure and supporting the thousands of Austra- lians whose livelihoods and communities depend on it,” Mr Morrison said in a statement.

Australia’s largest national park will receive a funding injection regardless of which party triumphs at this year’s federal election.

Labor has pledged $220 million for Kakadu if it wins government with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten arriving in the Northern Territory last night.

Labor’s plan includes $100 million to upgrade four key access roads, $45 million for urgent asbestos work in Jabiru and $25 million for a new visitor centre in the town.

Both packages aim to arrest a decline in tourist numbers, which have fallen from 300,000 a year in the late 1980s to about 185,000.

“We want Kakadu to be at the top of the list for Australian and international visitors —

and Labor will help make that happen,” Mr Shorten said in a statement. The park and town support a significant portion of the 1600 jobs and $103 million the Kakadu Arnhem region brings to the NT economy.