Frequently asked questions

Jabiru Bowali Visitor Centre

What is the Growing Tourism in Kakadu funding package?

The Growing Tourism in Kakadu funding package is an Australian Government initiative to upgrade visitor infrastructure across Kakadu National Park and support the township of Jabiru transition to a tourism-based economy following the closure of the Ranger Uranium Mine in 2021. Key elements include upgrading visitor roads, communications, campgrounds and other visitor infrastructure across the park. The investment aims to grow tourism to this iconic World Heritage listed national park and provide greater opportunity to grow the local economy and support Indigenous businesses and employment.

The package forms part of the Australian Government’s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Northern Territory Government on the future of Jabiru and presents an exciting opportunity for Kakadu National Park.

How much is the funding package and what is it made up of?

On 13 January 2019, the Australian Government announced a $216 million funding package over 10 years to support growing tourism in Kakadu National Park and support Jabiru transition to a post-mining future. Investing in visitor infrastructure across Kakadu will support visitation to the park, provide employment and economic opportunities for Traditional Owners and encourage private investment in tourism in the park and in Jabiru.

The package consists of:

$51 million to support visitor planning and infrastructure upgrades across Kakadu.
$70 million to improve roads and access to key visitor sites.
Up to $60 million towards a new Indigenous-led World Heritage Visitor Centre.
$35 million to support remediation of Jabiru.

Expenditure against the Growing Tourism in Kakadu package will be driven by the Kakadu Tourism Master Plan and Kakadu Roads Strategy. Similarly, expenditure under the Jabiru township remediation package will be based on the final remediation agreement between parties.

What is the Kakadu Tourism Master Plan?

The Kakadu Tourism Master Plan is a 10 year strategy to guide the Australian Government’s $51 million investment to support visitor planning and infrastructure upgrades across Kakadu. The Tourism Master Plan is the roadmap for Kakadu’s success as a tourism destination in the future. The Tourism Master Plan looks at how to improve key visitor experiences and develop new visitor activities and investment opportunities in a sustainable way, in accordance with the Kakadu National Park Management Plan 2016-2026.

The Tourism Master Plan was developed in consultation with Parks Australia, Kakadu’s Traditional Owners and Board of Management, the Northern Territory Government, the tourism industry and general public, to deliver this important project for the Northern Territory tourism economy.

What is the Kakadu Roads Strategy?

The Roads Strategy was developed in parallel with the Tourism Master Plan. Improved road and access infrastructure is a critical part of visitation to Kakadu to encourage private investment, improve visitor safety and access and increase the length of the main tourist season. Prioritised road projects were developed in conjunction with the Tourism Master Plan, with extensive stakeholder consultation, to complement investment in areas of the park.

What will happen to Jabiru now mining has ceased?

Ranger Uranium Mine ceased operations in early 2021. The future of Jabiru is now firmly focused on tourism. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Australian Government, the Northern Territory Government, Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation and Energy Resources of Australia was signed in August 2019, to ensure the township remains the main hub for visitors to the World Heritage-listed national park in years to come.