Watarrka National Park Joint Management Plan is now Operational

The first Joint Management Plan for the Northern Territory’s Watarrka National Park is now operational.

Advising that the Joint Management Plan has been developed in collaboration with the Traditional Owners, with input from the Central Land Council, government agencies, and community and stakeholder groups, Northern Territory Department of Tourism and Culture, Acting Executive Director, Parks Wildlife and Heritage, Chris Day today advised “the management of the park will be guided by the objectives and strategies set out in the Joint Management Plan.

"Visitors will be able to continue to enjoy the Park’s unique character and experience the Park’s exciting natural, cultural and visitor values.

"Future development potential includes new walking and cycling trails, improving and extending the Giles Track and a shared walking and cycling path between Kings Canyon Resort and the Canyon. The Joint Management Plan opens up the possibilities of new accommodation options within or near the Park in which Traditional Owners provide services, including high-quality cultural experiences."

"The Traditional Owners were granted title to the park in 2011 and the Plan gives effect to the close working relationship that has been strengthening every year since about 2005.

"Watarrka National Park is located about 330 kilometres south west of Alice Springs and protects one of Australia’s most stunning natural and cultural environments and contributes enormously to biodiversity conservation and regional tourism.

"It is a living cultural landscape with strong cultural, spiritual and historical significance. Traditional Owners maintain the integrity of their land by following and teaching cultural and ecological knowledge from the Dreaming to their descendants.

"The Park is enhanced by the connection of Traditional Owners with their country, adding a richness to the landscape and the visitor experience."

Watarrka is an internationally significant conservation area. The George Gill Range provides refuge to a variety of unique native flora and fauna. These habitats support the richest assemblage of plants of all the national parks in Central Australia.

About 250,000 people from around the world visit the Park each year, taking home unforgettable memories of dramatic landscapes, high quality nature based tourism activities and opportunities to experience authentic Aboriginal culture.

The six kilometre walk around Kings Canyon is celebrated as one of Central Australia's best walks, immersing visitors in a range of habitats including waterholes, intriguing rock formations and Eden-like "gardens" of native vegetation and stunning views.

Watarrka National Park lies within the traditional lands of the Martutjarra people.

Click here to download the management plan

Image: Watarrka National Park

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