Thursday 11 May 2006
NT News
by Greg McLean

THE Federal Government is negotiating to incorporate a former uranium mine into Kakadu National Park.

As part of an agreement with the owners of Newcrest Mining, the Federal Government will rehabilitate the controversial Coronation Hill mine site, covering 100sq km, at a cost of $7.3 million.

The rehabilitation is expected to begin in the 2007 dry season with earthworks and cement poured into some mine holes.

It will then be incorporated into Kakadu National Park.

The Federal Government also announced in Tuesday's Budget that a further $1.77 million would be spent to open up other areas of Kakadu National Park to tourism and encourage indigenous-owned tourism enterprises.

Established tour companies will be encouraged to submit ideas on which areas of the park now closed to tourism should be opened to the public.

The Kakadu National Park board will then negotiate with traditional owners to open up the most attractive areas of the park.

Some areas considered most viable include Cannon Hill in the north and untouched Jawoyn country in the south of the heritage-listed national park.

It is hoped opening new areas would encourage new visitor experiences including wildlife camps and safari ventures owned and operated by Aboriginal people.

A further $5.45 million was allocated in the Budget for a new viewing platform at Uluru.