The following are the aims of cultural heritage management in Kakadu:

• to make sure that the World Heritage attributes of the Park are protected and that traditional owners control the management of their cultural heritage and cultural material in the Park;
• to encourage and support the recording and management of Bininj/Mungguy oral cultural heritage material;
• to actively support the maintenance of Aboriginal oral cultural heritage, in keeping with the wishes of traditional owners;
• to record and protect areas of significance in line with the wishes of traditional owners and site custodians;
• to protect and conserve rock art and other archaeological sites in line with the wishes of traditional owners;
• when requested by traditional owners, to arrange for Aboriginal artifacts to be returned to Kakadu and to arrange appropriate access to such artifacts;
• to make sure the post-contact historical sites in Kakadu are adequately recorded and conserved.

The following are the aims of Natural Heritage Management in Kakadu:

• to protect and maintain the natural land and water systems of the Park and to rehabilitate eroded and disturbed areas
• to manage fire effectively and to

–    promote traditional Aboriginal ways of burning within the Park

–    protect life and property within and adjacent to the Park

–    restrict fire from spreading so that it does not enter or leave the Park

–    maintain biodiversity through effective fire management of species and habitats

• to maintain the natural abundance and distribution of native plans and habitats while providing for the rights and needs of traditional owners
• to minimise weed invasion and degradation of the environment in the Park
• to conserve the natural abundance and distribution of native animals while providing for the rights and interests of traditional owners
• to manage recreational fishing in the Park so that visitors can have access for recreational fishing and the impacts of this activity are kept to a minimum
• to limit, as far as possible, the adverse effects of feral animals on the Kakadu environment while taking into account the views and economic interests of traditional owners.

Important aspects of natural heritage management in Kakadu are:

• fire management
• weed management
• management of feral animals
• managing estuarine crocodiles in areas visited by the public.

Managing tourism in Kakadu

The following are the aims of tourism management in Kakadu:

• to provide for visitors to use the Park appropriately and safely and to have an enriching experience, while ensuring that the Park environment is protected;
• to provide for Bininj to benefit from tourism.

A range of facilities and services is provided for visitors, including:

• the Bowali Visitor Centre, with habitat-based displays, an information counter that is staffed 365 days a year, videos, a café and a gallery shop;
• the Warradjan Aboriginal Cultural Centre, with displays, videos and a gallery shop;
• walkways, viewing platforms and information signs at three major art sites;
• five camping areas with solar powered showers and flushing toilets;
• fourteen bush camping areas;
• many walking tracks;
• boat launching ramps;
• picnic areas;
• lookouts, wildlife viewing platforms and bird hides.

Maintaining visitor services and facilities is a large part of the work of rangers in Kakadu National Park and uses more than a third of the Park’s staff and financial resources.

An important aspect of tourism management in Kakadu is implementing site-hardening or visitor control measures at sensitive sites or sites where visitation is increasing, to prevent adverse environmental impacts. These measures are developed and implemented through the management plan, area plans and the Park’s Capital Works and Maintenance programs.

Visitor safety is a key concern and is managed by providing safety signs and information to visitors and tour guides, constructing visitor facilities to safe standards, and, when necessary, closing road access to areas where public safety would be endangered, such as areas that are flooded or inhabited by estuarine crocodiles.

Monitoring visitor numbers, experiences and impacts is necessary so that appropriate services and facilities can be provided in the future. Visitor surveys and environmental impact monitoring are conducted regularly for this purpose.

The management aim in relation to commercial tour operations is to encourage appropriate tourism activities of a high standard while taking into account the views and economic aspirations of traditional owners and protecting the natural and cultural heritage of the Park.

Measures taken to achieve this aim include regular liaison with tourism industry representatives through the Kakadu Board of Management and the Tourism Consultative Committee, maintaining and regularly reviewing the commercial tour permit system, and allocating some commercial tourism opportunities to enterprises that involve or directly benefit Bininj/Munnguy.

The Kakadu Tourism Consultative Committee (KTCC) was established by the Kakadu National Park Board of Management and meets every three months.

Our role

The role of the Kakadu Tourism Consultative Committee can be described under the following six (6) broad subject areas:

Board of Management (BoM) and Industry Communication – to provide a forum for communication between the Board of Management (BoM) and the tourism industry

• To understand traditional owners’ aspirations and responsibilities, and to provide support and advice to the BoM as to how tourism might help preserve and progress these interests
• To provide an advisory forum for the BoM on tourism issues relating to the Park
• To create greater understanding by the BoM and Parks Australia (PA) about tourism industry aspirations and responsibilities in the Park, and understanding within the tourism industry of traditional owners’ interests, and Park management objectives
• To help develop and maintain a sound working relationship between traditional owners, Parks Australia, and the tourism industry.

Planning and Development – to provide advice for the BoM to consider regarding future planning and development for tourism in Kakadu National Park

• To ensure tourism industry interests are appropriately considered in Park planning and development
• To assist the BoM (and PA) to effectively consult with the tourism industry on the Kakadu Plan of Management;
• To assist with the development of Area Plans & support implementation
• To act as a sounding board for tourism views regarding proposals put forward by the BoM and PA

Land Use and Infrastructure – to provide advice for the BoM to consider in regard to appropriate land use and infrastructure for tourism

• To consider and provide advice to the BoM on existing and proposed land use and infrastructure development within the Park
• To consult with the tourism industry in relation to proposed capital works programs and priorities in the Park
• To assist PA to effectively consult with the tourism industry on land use and infrastructure within the Park

Marketing and Research – to provide advice for the BoM to consider for appropriate marketing of the Park, and planning and coordination of research regarding tourism in the Park

• To encourage and support appropriate marketing and promotion of the Park considering the cultural and conservation values of the Park
• To assist PA to effectively consult with the tourism industry on tourism research for the Park
• Share and evaluate tourism research results and advise the BoM on possible planning and marketing implications

Management of Commercial Activities – to provide advice for the BoM to consider on the management of commercial tourism activities in the Park

• To advise the BoM on the operation of the commercial tour operator permit system for the Park
• To advise the BoM on the development and implementation of the permit and licensing system for commercial tourism activities
• To consider and advise the BoM regarding training needs of tour operators and Park staff relating to sustainable tourism in protected areas
• To provide advice on simplifying the interaction between the permit and licensing system and tourism accreditation programs to reduce work required by PA and operators

Park Management and Operation – to provide advice for the BoM to consider regarding the effective management and operation of the Park in relation to tourism

• To provide advice to the BoM on commercial aspects of Park management, including commercial opportunities and revenue potential
• To build understanding in the tourism industry and government for Park management objectives and arrangements
• To assist all parties to work cooperatively on relevant operational matters in the Park
• To suggest mechanisms for the management of tourism to maintain Park values

Visitor management and Park use:

Kakadu National Park is a World Heritage place and people from all over the world would like to visit Kakadu for its ancient cultural heritage, wildlife and magnificent landscapes. Bininj are happy and proud to share Kakadu, and would like to be more involved in tourism. However, it is important for Bininj that this doesn’t happen too quickly, and that tourism respects the wishes of Bininj and helps safeguard their culture, lifestyle and privacy. It is important that Kakadu is promoted in ways that are accurate and give people the right expectations about a visit to the Park. New ways will be looked at to help visitors enjoy Kakadu and all its seasons, look at ways that Bininj can benefit more from tourism, and also look at how tourism activities can be better managed and give more certainty to the tourism industry. This will be done by Bininj, Parks Australia and the tourism industry working together.

I want visitors to feel something they’ll never forget – and have in their heart and mind forever.
Bessie Coleman, Wurrkbarbar/Jawoyn clan

Our land has a big story. Sometimes we tell a little bit at a time. Come and hear our stories, see our land. A little bit might stay in your hearts. If you want more, you can come back.
Jacob Nayinggul, Manilagarr clan

Recreational opportunities and tourism directions

Our aim

Kakadu National Park is universally recognised as one of the great World Heritage parks, as a place with:

• a living Aboriginal culture – home to Bininj
• extraordinary natural landscapes and a rich variety of plants and animals
• enriching and memorable experiences for visitors
• a strong and successful partnership between traditional owners, governments and the tourism industry, providing world’s best practice in caring for country and sustainable tourism.

Measuring how well we are meeting our aim

• Level of Bininj satisfaction with the nature, scope and impact of recreational and tourism opportunities in the Park
• Level of visitor and tourism industry satisfaction with recreational and tourism opportunities in the Park
• Extent to which Bininj gain economic benefit from commercial tourism opportunities

Background

Bininj are proud to share their country with visitors and welcome tourism opportunities that help visitors to learn about, appreciate and experience Bininj culture and country in Kakadu.

In May 2004, the Director of Parks Australia, on behalf of the Kakadu Board and the Australian and Northern Territory Governments, commissioned the development of a shared tourism vision for the Park.

The following Shared Vision Principles were developed to enable the tourism industry to understand how the Board and Bininj want tourism to be managed in the Park while providing greater levels of certainty to the tourism industry:

1. Kakadu is first and foremost home to Bininj. They will influence, manage, encourage and participate in the development of tourism from which they gain economic and social benefits.
2. Bininj have leased their land to the Australian Government to be jointly managed as a national park to protect and manage its priceless natural and cultural heritage.
3. All parties recognise and will enhance the protection of Kakadu’s diverse landscapes, internationally important wetlands and spectacular plants and animals.
4. Tourism should not be boss of country. Aboriginal people will determine how and when they will be involved in tourism.
5. The pace and level of tourism development in Kakadu will be determined by the traditional owners.
6. Respect for customary law and traditions will underpin all tourism decisions.
7. All parties will respect the need for Bininj to retain their privacy, to use their land for hunting, fishing and ceremony and to protect and hold private their sacred stories and sites.
8. Aboriginal culture and the land on which it is based will be protected and promoted through well-managed tourism practices and appropriate interpretation.
9. The travel and tourism industry will have security of tenure, profitable investment and the opportunity to provide authentic and memorable visitor experiences, whilst respecting culture and country.
10. Kakadu National Park will be globally recognised as one of the world’s most significant natural and cultural World Heritage areas, offering visitors a range of enriching and memorable experiences.

The Board accepted these principles as a guide to balance the primary importance of Kakadu’s cultural values with the development of a strategic approach to tourism.

Issues

The management challenge for Kakadu is to strike a balance between providing opportunities for the appropriate use, appreciation and enjoyment of the Park by a diversity of visitors and protecting the rights and interests of Bininj and the natural and cultural values of the Park.

What we are going to do

Policy

Tourism and recreational opportunities in the Park will be managed in accordance with the Shared Vision Principles and a Tourism Master Plan designed to guide the development and management of all tourism and recreational opportunities in the Park.

Actions

6.1.2   The Board of Management will, as a high priority, develop a Tourism Master Plan consistent with the Shared Vision Principles in consultation with the traditional owners, the tourism industry and other stakeholders. The Tourism Master Plan will detail:

• development of visitor experiences (with an emphasis on memorable visitor experiences that incorporate local culture and are strongly associated with Kakadu)
• development of new facilities and modification to existing facilities related to experiences
• future access – a key consideration of access will be the visitor experience, for example in the wet season, and what infrastructure needs to be provided
• commercial opportunities, including the possible development of a new range of minimal impact accommodation including luxury camps, small lodges and quiet relaxation sites
• how the Park can be protected from adverse tourism impacts
• how tourism can support management of the Park
• how tourism can meet the aspirations of traditional owners.

Consistent with other provisions of this Plan, the Board and the Director may approve actions and activities, including new visitor infrastructure that are detailed in the Tourism Master Plan.

It is important that visitors to Kakadu can learn about the Park’s natural and cultural features. Traditional Aboriginal owners want visitors to learn about the Park and their culture and to come to understand why Kakadu is important to them. This can be encouraged through sensitive promotion, provision of information, and interpretation.

Parks Australia provides the public with visitor guides, visitor centres, displays, signs, brochures, and ranger-guided walks, talks and slide shows and liaises with the tourism industry, in order to:

• promote and interpret Kakadu as a cultural landscape, an Aboriginal place
• promote and explain the joint management philosophy of the Park
• promote and interpret the natural and cultural heritage features of the Park and their conservation significance
• encourage the use of accurate information about the Park.

The Kakadu National Park Visitor Guide is available free of charge for all visitors. Copies are available at several locations on the major highways to the Park as well as at the Visitor Information Centres in Darwin and Katherine. Downloadable copies can be found at:

https://parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu/pub/visitor-guide.pdf

It is also important that tour operators and tourism organisations use accurate information about the Park when talking to clients, promoting tours, or promoting Kakadu as a tourism destination.

Promotion forms people’s expectations before they arrive, and affects their experience. If they are given unrealistic expectations—for example, through the use of photographs of Jim Jim Falls in the wet season for promoting dry season land-based tours—visitors will probably be disappointed and not go on to recommend the tour they used or Kakadu as a destination. Accurate promotion and information, on the other hand, can greatly increase visitors’ enjoyment of the Park, and increase the likelihood of return visits and favourable recommendations of tours and the Park.

Compliance Regulation and Permits

EPBC Act and Regulations (Kakadu) 

The Director of Parks Australia considers that the definition of a commercial activity is: an activity that involves an interchange of goods, services and/or money.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) and Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000, and the Park Management Plan, prohibit commercial activities unless they are conducted according to the conditions of a permit. Below is an extract from the EPBC Act showing the relevant parts of the legislation. For legal purposes please consult the EPBC Act. Note: pu means penalty units

The EPBC Act states:

S354(1)(a)

A person must not take an action for commercial purposes except in accordance with a Management Plan.

Civil Penalty

1. a) Individual 500 pu ($55,000)
2. b) Body corporate 5,000 pu ($550,000)

The EPBC Regulations state that:

EPBC Reg 12.36

A person must not conduct a commercial activity.

Penalty 30 pu ($3,300)

EPBC Reg 12.59

Obligation to produce permit when requested by ranger or warden

Penalty 10 pu ($1,100)

EPBC Reg 17.08

Contravene condition of permit

Penalty 50 pu ($5,500)

The current Plan of Management states:

Section 34 (p128 – 135)
Commercial Tour Operations
This section outlines the following in relation to commercial tour operations:

• Commercial activities are to be conducted only with a Permit
• Bininj/Mungguy aspirations
• Limits (competitive application process)
• Board of Management approval required for new or major activities
• Accreditation Plan

Permits required for Kakadu

If you wish to conduct research or any commercial activity in Kakadu National Park, or carry out certain recreational or other activities, you will require a permit to do so.

Activities must be consistent with the Kakadu National Park Management Plan.

Activities within the Park that require a permit under the EPBC Act include:

• Commercial tours
• Commercial filming and photography
• Other commercial activities
• Research
• Camping outside the designated camping areas
• Bushwalking (walking off a marked trail)
• Other activities listed under Part 12 of the Regulations.

Application forms for permits and a more detailed list of activities requiring a permit under Part 12 of the EPBC Regulations are available from the Parks and Reserves Permits Web page.

If you are uncertain as to whether you will require a permit, contact staff at the park headquarters.

Commercial Permits—Kakadu

Land based

• (less than 4 trips a year)
• (more that 4 trips a year)

These permits are currently available annually.

Special

• Bushwalking
• Safari Camps
• Koolpin Gorge
• Sportfishing
• Boat tours.

Ranger and Warden powers

Most rangers are appointed as rangers or wardens:

• They carry an identity card.
• They have special powers conferred by the EPBC Act.

Under the EPBC Act, rangers can:

• request your name and address
• ask you to leave the Park
• give you a safety direction.

Wardens have additional powers, and can:

• arrest suspected offenders
• search vehicles, vessels and aircraft and seize goods
• execute search warrants.