Territory welcomes boom
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Tuesday, 22 June, 1999 - 22:00
THE Northern Territory is one of the fastest growing states in Aust-ralia says NT Tourism Minister Mike Reed.
“In 1998, the Territory experienced Australia’s highest population growth at 2.3 per cent and the country’s lowest unemployment rate at 3.3 per cent while the national average stood at 7.5 per cent,” Mr Reed said.
Through 1998 and 1999, the Territory has maintained its building boom with many major housing and construction developments gaining approval and commencing.
“Another key proposal on the drawing board for the NT is a $10 billion off-shore gas project which will see massive logistical support developed in Darwin,” he said.
Mr Reed said while the mining industry was NT’s largest income earner, tourism was its largest employer.
During the 1997/98 period, international tourists contributed an estimated $243 million to the state’s economy.
In the twelve months to July 1998, 58,000 Western Australians travelled to the Northern Territory, representing a four per cent in-crease in visitors from WA as well as the greatest increase by state of interstate visitors to the NT.
During this period, visitors from WA spent an estimated $40.4 million, an increase of 25 per cent on the previous year.
To date, the recently constructed $1.3 million cruise ship terminal at the Port of Darwin has fourteen luxury cruise ships scheduled to stop this year.
Five of the fourteen pre-booked cruises will be making their maiden voyage to Darwin’s tropical waters.
The boost in cruise ship numbers complements the NT Govern-ments’ Cruise Ship Strategy which aims to build Darwin’s reputation as a friendly and efficient stopover for cruise ships.
“The growth of tourism has also seen a corresponding growth in tourism development, with a huge increase in the variety of accommodation constructed over the past three years.”
Mr Reed added that NT’s expanded facilities have attracted a growing number of major events.
The 1998 national Shell Aust-ralian Touring Car Series ran the first of five annual rounds at the newly upgraded Hidden Valley Raceway, drawing national and international media attention. This year’s event was also successful.
“Also held in the Territory annually are the Darwin Cup Horse Racing Festival, the Alice Springs Camel Cup, the Finke Motorcycle Desert Race and the performing arts Festival of Darwin,” Mr Reed said.
This year’s additional events such as the Australian Safari and the local leg of the London-Sydney Marathon will generate further international exposure for the state.
“In 1998, the Territory experienced Australia’s highest population growth at 2.3 per cent and the country’s lowest unemployment rate at 3.3 per cent while the national average stood at 7.5 per cent,” Mr Reed said.
Through 1998 and 1999, the Territory has maintained its building boom with many major housing and construction developments gaining approval and commencing.
“Another key proposal on the drawing board for the NT is a $10 billion off-shore gas project which will see massive logistical support developed in Darwin,” he said.
Mr Reed said while the mining industry was NT’s largest income earner, tourism was its largest employer.
During the 1997/98 period, international tourists contributed an estimated $243 million to the state’s economy.
In the twelve months to July 1998, 58,000 Western Australians travelled to the Northern Territory, representing a four per cent in-crease in visitors from WA as well as the greatest increase by state of interstate visitors to the NT.
During this period, visitors from WA spent an estimated $40.4 million, an increase of 25 per cent on the previous year.
To date, the recently constructed $1.3 million cruise ship terminal at the Port of Darwin has fourteen luxury cruise ships scheduled to stop this year.
Five of the fourteen pre-booked cruises will be making their maiden voyage to Darwin’s tropical waters.
The boost in cruise ship numbers complements the NT Govern-ments’ Cruise Ship Strategy which aims to build Darwin’s reputation as a friendly and efficient stopover for cruise ships.
“The growth of tourism has also seen a corresponding growth in tourism development, with a huge increase in the variety of accommodation constructed over the past three years.”
Mr Reed added that NT’s expanded facilities have attracted a growing number of major events.
The 1998 national Shell Aust-ralian Touring Car Series ran the first of five annual rounds at the newly upgraded Hidden Valley Raceway, drawing national and international media attention. This year’s event was also successful.
“Also held in the Territory annually are the Darwin Cup Horse Racing Festival, the Alice Springs Camel Cup, the Finke Motorcycle Desert Race and the performing arts Festival of Darwin,” Mr Reed said.
This year’s additional events such as the Australian Safari and the local leg of the London-Sydney Marathon will generate further international exposure for the state.