Mr WOOD - 2010-10-28
Berry Springs Nature Park is again closed due to the E. coli level in water samples. Last year, this park was closed around October and did not open again until May this year, over six months. There have been many rumours about why the park is closed, ranging from the high number of bats in the wildlife park’s monsoon vine forest, which were not there when the park was first closed; the general hygiene of people using the nature park; the toilet system at the nature park - and the list goes on.
This closure is damaging local business and the tourism industry. With Howard Springs taking forever to reopen, Berry Springs is the only park where you can swim within 60 km of Darwin. Will Berry Springs Nature Park be reopened by next Dry Season? Can you table a copy of the water sample results, along with the standards used to measure against, for the past five years?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. For me, the first issue to deal with here is public health and safety. I will not be putting people into a position where their health may be in danger, member for Nelson. That is irresponsible and something I certainly will not do. It is on those grounds Berry Springs is closed; the recent testing has identified high bacteria levels make it unsafe to swim. A really important point to get across is that public health issues are a priority. I understand there is some angst that people cannot swim, but public health comes before that, member for Nelson.
The test results do not meet the guidelines endorsed by the department of Health, which were developed in light of the national guidelines. The nature park’s picnic area remains open, and there are other things for people to do there.
There are a number of causes of the high bacteria levels, which my people are looking at. It could be because of bat colonies that we cannot open those swimming holes, the same as at Howard Springs.
It is also why we are looking at Palmerston water park. We are aware there are issues …
Mr Wood: Too far away. That is Palmerston.
Mr HAMPTON: Member for Nelson, people in Howard Springs and Berry Springs will go to the Palmerston water park once it is open. I was very pleased today to announce the design tender has been awarded for the Palmerston water park. That provides another attraction for people out that way when we have to close these other parks.
I will take your other questions on board and provide those results and reports to you.
This closure is damaging local business and the tourism industry. With Howard Springs taking forever to reopen, Berry Springs is the only park where you can swim within 60 km of Darwin. Will Berry Springs Nature Park be reopened by next Dry Season? Can you table a copy of the water sample results, along with the standards used to measure against, for the past five years?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for Nelson for his question. For me, the first issue to deal with here is public health and safety. I will not be putting people into a position where their health may be in danger, member for Nelson. That is irresponsible and something I certainly will not do. It is on those grounds Berry Springs is closed; the recent testing has identified high bacteria levels make it unsafe to swim. A really important point to get across is that public health issues are a priority. I understand there is some angst that people cannot swim, but public health comes before that, member for Nelson.
The test results do not meet the guidelines endorsed by the department of Health, which were developed in light of the national guidelines. The nature park’s picnic area remains open, and there are other things for people to do there.
There are a number of causes of the high bacteria levels, which my people are looking at. It could be because of bat colonies that we cannot open those swimming holes, the same as at Howard Springs.
It is also why we are looking at Palmerston water park. We are aware there are issues …
Mr Wood: Too far away. That is Palmerston.
Mr HAMPTON: Member for Nelson, people in Howard Springs and Berry Springs will go to the Palmerston water park once it is open. I was very pleased today to announce the design tender has been awarded for the Palmerston water park. That provides another attraction for people out that way when we have to close these other parks.
I will take your other questions on board and provide those results and reports to you.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016