The Territory Labor Government is boosting the Central Australia and Barkly destinations by investing more than $7.7 million into iconic Central Australian attractions and water infrastructure projects to support tourism.
An additional $3.5 million will also be allocated to develop and implement a 10-year strategic plan for the National Road Transport Museum in Alice Springs, including an audit of its collections, an interpretation plan for visitors as well as capital works at this iconic museum and attraction.
This historic attraction incorporates multiple exhibits of vehicles and incorporates the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame, Kenworth Dealer Hall of Fame, Old Ghan Train Museum and RSL Military museum, and shares Australia's road transport pioneers.
The Alice Springs Telegraph Station has been awarded more than $2.6 million to implement their Visitor Experience Development Plan together with Traditional Owners and Parks.
More than $2.6 million has been invested to refurbish at the Alice Springs Desert Park and the home of Parrtjima: A Festival in Light. The upgrades will better showcase the unique Central Australian flora and fauna.
In Tennant Creek, the Battery Hill Visitor Information Centre will receive $500,000 to develop and implement a site interpretation plan to enhance the visitor experience. The project will celebrate Tennant Creek's proud history of gold mining through innovative digital story telling.
The Tjoritja water security project, led by the Territory Government's Office of Water Security and Tourism NT, will engage with key stakeholders including Traditional Owners and the tourism sector to identify ground water requirements for current and future needs of the popular park that features attractions including Simpsons Gap, Ochre Pits, Standley Chasm and the permanent waterholes at Ellery Creek Big Hole, Ormiston Gorge and Glen Helen, with support of $2 million.
Tourism is an important economic driver in the Territory, contributing around $2.6 billion to the NT economy and supporting around 16,300 workers and this investment will ensure the destination offers visitors a great experience when they visit.
Quotes from Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Joel Bowden:
"The Central and Barkly regions are the true outback and spiritual heartland of Australia.
"Tourism is a key industry that gets the Territory working, and this investment from the Territory Labor Government is about upgrading infrastructure, planning for the future, and boosting these iconic destinations for locals and visitors.
"It will also generate work for Territorians, with local contractors and businesses to benefit from this investment in Central Australia and the Barkly.
