PM Transcripts

-, AS LIA
FOR MEDIA 5 APRIL 1979
DECLARATION OF KAKADU NATIONAL PARK
The Governor-General in Council has approved the proclamation
of the Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory.
This action puts into effect one of the most important
elements of the Government's protective policy for the
Alligator Rivers Region in the light of its decision in
1977 to permit the development of uranium mining.
The Government accepted recommendations of the Ranger
Uranium Environmental Inquiry to grant Aboriginal land rights
and establish a national park over the same area.
On 25 August 1977, in announcing the Government.' s decision,,
I said: " The Government has decided to accept the recommendation
of the Ranger Inquiry that a major national park should be
established in the Region to protect and preserve the natural
features, the flora and fauna, the Aboriginal sacred sites
and cave paintings".
The first stage of the park to be declared will be of over
6,000 sq. km.
I am informed that a combination of cultural richness,,
scientific interest and mangificent scenery will place Kakadu
high among the great national parks of the world. Its
scenery compares favourably with that in the famous national
parks of Canada and the U. S. A.
Kakadu will represent a unique conjunction of conservation and
Aboriginal interest. The Aboriginal owners have in effect made
a gift of their land to the Australian people to be managed
by the Commonwealth as a national park.
By agreement the Aboriginal owners and Northern Territory
authorities will have an important role in the management.
I would expect that the widespread interest already being
displayed in the proposed park will result in more tourists,
including foreign tourists, visiting the area.
In order to adequately protect the features of the park, to
provide in a meaningful way for Aboriginal participation in
management and the decision-making process, and to cater for
the projected increase in tourist interest, the Government
is committed to a development program. Definition of the
first five years of the program is already well advanced.
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