Ms McCARTHY - 2006-11-29
The Barkly region has long been recognised as a town steeped in gold mining and pastoral history. Tourism is also a major contributor to the local economy. Can you inform the House of new initiatives to attract more tourists to the Barkly region?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arnhem for her question. I am very pleased to be able to announce today the release of the Barkly Region Tourism Action Plan. A key role for this government, and me as the Tourism minister, is to ensure that we get maximum tourists to the great regions of the Northern Territory. I am very pleased to officially launch in the parliament today the Barkly Region Tourism Action Plan. There are copies for all members for their consideration. If you have not been through the Barkly yet, there are some wonderful experiences that will unfold before you. The Barkly is a unique tourism destination.
The plan is an action plan. It has clear time frames and goals for various strategies, facilities and promotions to be developed. I pay tribute to everybody who has worked on this, particularly people in the tourism industry in the Barkly region. They have been working very hard on this for quite some time. I know my colleague, the member for Barkly, has attended a number of meetings and workshops which have developed this action plan.
The plan aims to position the Barkly as the heart of the Northern Territory and home of the Devils Marbles. There are wonderful attractions currently in the Barkly region such as the Nyinkka Nyunyu Cultural Centre. I urge all members if you have not been to that cultural centre - it certainly blew me away when I went there three years ago. It is a fantastic cultural display in Tennant Creek. There is the Battery Hill Mining Centre, the Pink Palace, Tennant Creek Telegraph Station, the Pebbles, the Davenport Ranges are nearby, Elliott, and the iconic Devils Marbles. These and new attractions outlined in the plan make the Barkly region a great place for tourists.
One of the key groups of tourists we are targeting is the self-drive spirited traveller, and those on coach tours. The aim of the plan is to extend visitor stays in the region. The Territory government has invested over $1.3m over the last 18 months on tourism projects in the Barkly region. It is probably the greatest investment in tourism in the Barkly region since self-government.
We are committed to growing tourism in all our regional areas. The member for Barkly, Mr Elliot McAdam, never stops talking up the Barkly. He is very passionate. I urge all members to have a look at the plan and to take advantage when you are in Tennant Creek and the region and not just to drive through. Far too many of our tourists drive straight past. There are wonderful attractions in Tennant Creek and the region. Take time, stop …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: I did not hear the interjection from the Leader of the Opposition, but it probably was not positive because she does not have much positive to say about anything.
I urge all members, as you are driving through, to explore the Barkly region. There are fantastic things to see. There are fabulous people to meet. As Tourism minister, I am keen to ensure that as many of the strategies in this action plan are implemented within the time frames in which they are committed.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Arnhem for her question. I am very pleased to be able to announce today the release of the Barkly Region Tourism Action Plan. A key role for this government, and me as the Tourism minister, is to ensure that we get maximum tourists to the great regions of the Northern Territory. I am very pleased to officially launch in the parliament today the Barkly Region Tourism Action Plan. There are copies for all members for their consideration. If you have not been through the Barkly yet, there are some wonderful experiences that will unfold before you. The Barkly is a unique tourism destination.
The plan is an action plan. It has clear time frames and goals for various strategies, facilities and promotions to be developed. I pay tribute to everybody who has worked on this, particularly people in the tourism industry in the Barkly region. They have been working very hard on this for quite some time. I know my colleague, the member for Barkly, has attended a number of meetings and workshops which have developed this action plan.
The plan aims to position the Barkly as the heart of the Northern Territory and home of the Devils Marbles. There are wonderful attractions currently in the Barkly region such as the Nyinkka Nyunyu Cultural Centre. I urge all members if you have not been to that cultural centre - it certainly blew me away when I went there three years ago. It is a fantastic cultural display in Tennant Creek. There is the Battery Hill Mining Centre, the Pink Palace, Tennant Creek Telegraph Station, the Pebbles, the Davenport Ranges are nearby, Elliott, and the iconic Devils Marbles. These and new attractions outlined in the plan make the Barkly region a great place for tourists.
One of the key groups of tourists we are targeting is the self-drive spirited traveller, and those on coach tours. The aim of the plan is to extend visitor stays in the region. The Territory government has invested over $1.3m over the last 18 months on tourism projects in the Barkly region. It is probably the greatest investment in tourism in the Barkly region since self-government.
We are committed to growing tourism in all our regional areas. The member for Barkly, Mr Elliot McAdam, never stops talking up the Barkly. He is very passionate. I urge all members to have a look at the plan and to take advantage when you are in Tennant Creek and the region and not just to drive through. Far too many of our tourists drive straight past. There are wonderful attractions in Tennant Creek and the region. Take time, stop …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr HENDERSON: I did not hear the interjection from the Leader of the Opposition, but it probably was not positive because she does not have much positive to say about anything.
I urge all members, as you are driving through, to explore the Barkly region. There are fantastic things to see. There are fabulous people to meet. As Tourism minister, I am keen to ensure that as many of the strategies in this action plan are implemented within the time frames in which they are committed.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016