One of the most popular attractions in Kakadu National Park will again remain closed as the Northern Territory moves into its peak tourism season, as the fallout from a lengthy sacred sites dispute continues.
The ongoing issues mean parts of Gunlom Falls — whose natural infinity pool became world-famous with the help of social media — could be off-limits to visitors for a total of three years.
Tour operators who once relied on the star attraction say the rolling closures have damaged the park's reputation.
"It's had a major impact on our business. It's had a major impact on visitation to the park," tour operator Greig Taylor said.
"As a result, we've not taken any bookings for May this year as we normally would, because we're not able to build a [tourism] program without Gunlom."
The popular waterfall was first closed in 2019 as the sacred sites watchdog, the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA), investigated whether the construction of a new walking track had impacted a nearby sacred site.
The matter then became a long-running court battle, with AAPA prosecuting the park's joint management body, Parks Australia, for allegedly constructing the track close to a key feature of the restricted site, against the wishes of traditional custodians.
The case is now before the Northern Territory Supreme Court, which is adjudicating on constitutional issues.
A section of the walkway in question was removed late last year, and traditional owners have asked that the entire Gunlom area remain closed until construction of a replacement track is complete, according to a Parks Australia spokesperson.
"Parks Australia aims to have the walking track completed later this year, however timing will depend on the availability of contractors and materials, and site access," they said.
"The decision to re-open the area and the walking track will be made in consultation with Traditional Owners and the Northern Land Council."
A certificate authorising the remedial work was issued in late August 2020, according to an AAPA spokeswoman.
A Northern Land Council spokesman said delays since then had been caused by the Omicron COVID variant, isolation and the need for on-site meetings.
"Everyone is being careful, mindful of past experiences and Parks Australia's record of poor consultation in the past, however, traditional owners appreciate that Parks is now engaging in good faith," he said.
"Traditional owners and the Northern Land Council are cautiously optimistic of a satisfactory outcome."
The Supreme Court was last month told the federal government is immune to prosecution under the NT's sacred sites legislation, and is expected to rule on that matter in the coming months.
The sacred sites dispute has been one chapter in the larger story of a deteriorating relationship between Parks Australia and the traditional owners who jointly manage the park, who aired their concerns in a 2021 episode of Four Corners.
An advisory group established to repair relationships across three jointly managed parks recently found traditional owners had an "almost complete lack of trust in Parks Australia" and made a swathe of recommendations.
