National park upgrades ‘to boost struggling tourism sector’

The Commonwealth will invest $233 million on tourism and infrastructure projects to help the struggling tourism sector recover from Covid-19.

The money will go towards new infrastructure and facility
upgrades at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Kakadu National Parks in the Northern
Territory, the Booderee National Park on the NSW South Coast, the Australian
National Botanic Gardens in Canberra, and the Christmas Island National Park.

Money will also be spent upgrading infrastructure at the
Mutitjulu community near the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley said all the parks were open, and despite some travel restrictions remaining in place, work on upgrades would start immediately.

“It is the biggest single investment in our Commonwealth
national parks,” Ms Ley said.

“New and improved infrastructure means better outcomes for
Australians living in regional and remote areas, which is vital as we move
through the economic challenges of Covid.”