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Is Kakadu NP helping tourism and fishermen?

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 6:59 pm
by Matt Flynn
Is Kakadu NP helping tourism and fishermen?

I have had tourist business managers expressing frustration with Kakadu, both in terms of facilities and the fact everything opens late in the year and closes early.

Also, fishos are upset that tracks aren't opened until bone dry, and then are closed at the first rain.

I've also heard laments that areas that were open years ago are not any more, but could easily be opened.

Re delayed access, a case in point is the 4-Mile track, it could be opened much earlier with a little work on the road.

Is Kakadu dragging the chain, or are they just cautious managers?

Re: Is Kakadu NP helping tourism and fishermen?

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 7:09 pm
by cuddlescooper
It could be said that the government blocking the Adelaide river flood plain road off untill it drys after flooding is a bit over cautious as well. But that is the way of the world now. Too much liability involved. Load of shitp if you ask me....

Re: Is Kakadu NP helping tourism and fishermen?

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 7:17 pm
by shaggs
Yep Blame that thing called "DUTY OF CARE"

Re: Is Kakadu NP helping tourism and fishermen?

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 8:18 pm
by skinny joel
^^^\i beg to differ, i went for a recon trip to pococks beach...... oh still closed, apart from the ranger loaded to the hiltop with fishing gear while opening the gate for a guide boat.
i think some of the management (read mis management) is nothing short of pathetic.
like most things in the N.T, its all catered for FIFO, (work, rent, fishing, hunting, access to most areas) while those that choose to live here and try to get by can just go suck eggs.
its unfortunate that the ones who have the most freedom up here are the ones that dont live here and exploit the n.t for a quick buck or access to places where commoners cant access as the powers that be make an "informed " decision.

Re: Is Kakadu NP helping tourism and fishermen?

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 8:42 pm
by topender
No its crazy, the Lock out the public attitude and can't let you do that because you might stub your toe is really damaging the Territory lifestyle.

Kakadu NP & Uluru are incredible examples of that. Who could forget that even 10km from Uluru they spent mega$$$ moving the best viewing site for the sunset for ideolgical reasons.

But yes its crazy how they are closing access and roads because of a few puddles.

They use the excuse of "Liability" but really thats just bullshit and and excuse, these days unless you are a TO or a Ranger who have freedom of movement for the rest of the community; so much for living in a free country.

Ironic thing is that its causing LOTS of damage to the communities in the NT and really holding back improving living conditions and improving things. Crazy stuff and defies common sense and certainly damages tourism too.

The environment is very important, but putting everything behind locked gates for a select few is NOT sustainable in the long term and the rest of us are getting pretty sick and tired of paying for what goes on for a select few behind those locked gates.

Re: Is Kakadu NP helping tourism and fishermen?

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 8:59 pm
by Lats
I live in Darwin and am a FIFO worker. 98% of my money is spent in Darwin. I have no special privileges. In fact, I miss out on a lot of good fishing times because I am away every second 4 weeks.

I dont agree with the double standards given to the guide and ranger you pointed out though. Everyone should be tarred with the same feather. That is :bs:

As for the opening/closing times for tracks, access to areas V's duty of care... I think everyone has a different opinion of what is safe and what is not. Most people wont access a place if there is a chance of being bogged or getting into trouble because rescue/search costs could become enormous, not to mention the risk of life. Having said that, some people dont give a rats because the bill will be covered by someone else and have the opinion "it wont happen to me". And tourists just dont know the dangers involved. They hire a 4WD and think its a go anywhere vehicle.

I guess what I am trying to say is that the line has to be drawn somewhere. If people choose not to follow the rules then its on their heads. If the lines are not right and need to be changed through the correct channels, then lobbying needs to happen.

Just my uneducated 2 cents worth

Re: Is Kakadu NP helping tourism and fishermen?

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 9:01 pm
by deano
skinny joel wrote: like most things in the N.T, its all catered for FIFO, (work, rent, fishing, hunting, access to most areas).

WTF.... not having a crack but i dont really understand that statment

Re: Is Kakadu NP helping tourism and fishermen?

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 9:40 pm
by maxpower
WTF.... not having a crack but i dont really understand that statment
Agree makes no sense at all what are you trying to say SkinnyJoel?
I guess what I am trying to say is that the line has to be drawn somewhere. If people choose not to follow the rules then its on their heads.
Agree here is some ways Lats but the problem is we are not given the choice. Its either open or its not. We need the "enter at own risk" clause back. I would be more than happy to head in to Kakadu a month or more before they open and grade these tracks if I could. Get a group of mates and go fishing. Get stuck, my problem. What do you think used to happen? Best article in the NT Mag is always the "memoirs" every issue. Have a read. Surely any half keen fisho agrees these roads need to be opened earlier.

Re: Is Kakadu NP helping tourism and fishermen?

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 8:23 am
by BarraMick
yeah cant even drive through a puddle these days.
as cuddles said at the top.
they closed the adelaide river flood plain when it had a little water on it.

Re: Is Kakadu NP helping tourism and fishermen?

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 8:43 am
by garrynt
Airwalk was harrassed last week at Yellow Waters "incorrectly" by 2 rangers for being just past "the sign".
http://fishingterritory.com/post159123.html#p159123

My Google Earth calculations give it 3km further fishing downstream from the sign.

Re: Is Kakadu NP helping tourism and fishermen?

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 12:34 pm
by Shitzngigglz
"Duty of care" is B%$@&%!t if people just grew the F&@k up and took responsability for their own actions instead of sueing everytime they screwed up the world in general would be a better place but no some people just see the dollar signs and go for the quick buck instead of copping it on the chin !!!!!!!!!!!
Until this starts to happen the "duty of care" rubbish is juts going to get worse

Re: Is Kakadu NP helping tourism and fishermen?

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 12:48 pm
by BlueyNT
I'm just glad I lived in Kakadu when it was only stage one and had the chance to fish and go where I liked ,with very few rules .
I might add that we were responsible users of the area and made little impact on the area.
Now that the place is three times larger and is governed by the Federal Stazi , I doubt I would ever revisit the area in what's left of my life time .
They should change the name of the joint to Kakadont.
Theree are much better places to enjoy fishing with out having to be supervised by Nazis.

In addition , the rangers are university grads from down south with no practical experience of the area ,they only know what they read in books and sprout only the bullshit that they have read .
They spout this bullshit to the overseas tourist and the poor old tourist goes away believing the cr.p that has come from the mouth of these "educated" idiots.


Kev.

Re: Is Kakadu NP helping tourism and fishermen?

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 1:27 pm
by john d
It, not about tourists or fisho,s.
Its all about control.
The kakadu management run the area and decide amoung themselvs who and when things happen with no concern for anyone other than tree huging greenies.
If it was up to them the whole area would be no go to PRESERVE it for future generations (and greenies ofcourse)
KAKADO ......KAKADONT

Re: Is Kakadu NP helping tourism and fishermen?

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 2:22 pm
by Shitzngigglz
As far as the touristy stuff goes if people ask me which NP to visit I tell them to go to Litchfield anyway Kakadu has been hyped up so much for so long when the place realy has F*#k all to offer.

Just my view

Re: Is Kakadu NP helping tourism and fishermen?

Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 4:19 pm
by Manton mad
Ha ha ha im with you on that one bud I know what np id go to an it kakadu better place's then ka ka poo I mean kakadu leave it for the tourists