NT Parks and Wildlife, Acting Director Northern Australia Parks Andrew Turner says Walker Creek and Bitter Springs will be open for camping and swimming this Easter break

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now we know a lot of territory it's going to

(00:01):
be heading out camping over the weekend and well maybe
heading out for a day trip, barbecue on a swim,
maybe heading out for a couple of days and joining
us on the line is Anti Parks and Wildlife Acting
Director of Northern Australian Parks Andrew Turner. Good morning, Andrew.

Speaker 2 (00:19):
Hi Katie. How are you?

Speaker 1 (00:20):
Yeah? Really good? Lovely to have you on the show mate.
How's it looking for the weekend? Is it going to
be a big weekend of camping for territorians?

Speaker 2 (00:29):
I think so.

Speaker 1 (00:30):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (00:31):
Things have really taken shape after that last bout of
rain that we had. It's been a funny wet season
for us in the top end. Many areas got good
rain and then quite a few areas we've been able
to access sites throughout the wet season. So an example
of that is tomorrow morning we're opening Walker Creek to camping,

(00:52):
which is some forty five days in advance of when
we normally open it up. And that's because we've been
able to get in and do the work. The water
dropped away and we've been able to do the crop
management stuff for that. There's quite a few other sites.
Bitter Springs down near Catherine opens today for swimming, so
that's a huge story. And then there's quite a few

(01:13):
sites that are already open to camping, you know, Florence
and one guy in Litchfield. You still can't swim at
one Guy, but certainly they're swimming at Florence and Bully
Rock Hole. So all in all, there's lots to get
around and do.

Speaker 1 (01:28):
Which spots are the most popular? You reckon?

Speaker 2 (01:32):
Well, Walker Creek is a very popular site. It's walking
camping and there's eight sites there, so they fill up
fairly quickly. But you know, areas like Florence. Florence Fall
Will Drive Campground is always popular. It's a really well
shaded spot, it's got good facilities, and it's a close
walk to the swimming so it's really popular as well.

Speaker 1 (01:55):
Now, have you got any tips for campus? I mean,
is there anything that they need to make sure that
they're doing before they decide to go out for the
weekend if they haven't already.

Speaker 2 (02:06):
With these couple of long weekends in a row, I
guess be respectful to each other and to the staff
out there is one of the messages I'd like to
get across. But the rest of it is all about safety,
you know, being safe on the roads. There's going to
be lots of people out and about. It's going to
be the first time some of these roads have been
used for a while, so be wary of the conditions.

(02:28):
The water itself. You know, they're still dropping water in
many of these areas, and whilst the crop management has
been done, you know, be safe when you're out swimming,
don't be silly. And then even things like you know,
we've had recent mosquito warnings with the interflitis and whatever,
so just make sure that you're prepared to go camping
and everything that it throws. Actually, now, what about.

Speaker 1 (02:49):
Swimming are there? I mean you touched on this a
moment ago. There are obviously some places where you can swim,
but what's your recommendations for people.

Speaker 2 (02:56):
Well, those areas that are opened by parks, they've gone
through a process where we've assessed the water levels, the
clarity of the water, and the turbulence, and then we've
also done a range of crop management activity to ensure
so many of those areas have got crocodile traps and
indicator boys and they've also had a series of surveys

(03:19):
done to ensure that the risk for swimmers is as
low as we can possibly make it. So any of
the areas that are designated for swimming and that are open,
you should have a fair degree of confidence that you know,
things as much has been done as possible. Those areas
that haven't been opened yet, just stay away from the water.
You know, this is the season where crocodiles are still

(03:40):
moving around, settling in for their dry season, so there's
still very much around the place. If it's not open,
don't go in there.

Speaker 1 (03:48):
Yeah, I mean, very sound advice. Now, somebody had been
in contact and I understand that there's been reports of
croc sidings that are culvert on barrel Mundy Driver near Dundee.
Do you know that area and do you say the case?

Speaker 2 (04:04):
Yeah, out near Dundee. I've heard of the report. It
came up yesterday. I understand the crop management team has
has gone for a look. But yeah, I'm not sure
what the what the outcome is going to be, whether
they're going to try to put a trap in there
or do something else. Yeah, would be really vigilant that
you know, the crocs have had lots of water to

(04:24):
move around in during the wet season. As that drops away,
they'd be looking for areas to settle down in so
Culvit's especially when you're stopping for a quick flick or something.
Just be mindful that you might be sharing that.

Speaker 1 (04:36):
Yeah, and Andrew, I mean, it's always a timely reminder,
right to be crock wise.

Speaker 2 (04:41):
Absolutely, it's one of the most important things you can
do in the top end. You know, they're they're large animals. Yeah,
they're they're often you know that they've got a mind
of their own. They're Yeah, just steer clear of them.

Speaker 1 (04:55):
As the advice, I totally agree. Well, Anti Parks and
Wildlife Acting Director of Northern Australian Parks Andrew Turner, have
a lovely Easter, mate, you.

Speaker 2 (05:06):
Two have a lovely three long weekend in a row.

Speaker 1 (05:09):
I'm thoroughly looking forward to it. We're pretty lucky here
on the station where we do get those public holidays,
so I'm thoroughly looking forward to it. Andrew, well done,
keep good on your mate. Thank you.