The Hot Springs are one of Katherine’s leading tourist magnets and almost $1 million is being spent giving them a makeover.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Council said work on bringing new life to the famous attraction should be done and dusted by October.
The project was announced in late 2015 and will use the Katherine River corridor to lure more visitors to town and “reconnect” residents with the waterway.
Katherine Town Council’s acting director of works and services David Moore said the project has drawn both local and interstate employees.
“The gabion rock cages are still being constructed, the lower bank has been seeded and erosion control matting has been laid to protect the bank,” Mr Moore said.
“We are constructing the form work for the concrete steps and preparing to lay the footpaths.
“We started construction again in the first week of May, should be completed by early October.”
More Hot Spring stories
The injection of $150,000 from the council in addition to almost $750,000 from the Northern Territory Government has given the springs their first revamp in several decades.
Tourist authorities believe improved attractions, like the hot springs, may encourage visitors to stay an extra day or two, which would translate into added tourist spending for the region.
Features of the project include the already constructed and popular pop-up cafe, new car parking areas, terraces, ramps and river bank “furniture” or seating.
The project’s architects have said said the project was designed “using simple elements to compliment the river location and design principles that retain the natural look and feel of the space”.
“The end product is the rejuvenation of a unique and largely undiscovered ‘gem’ that will allow the Katherine community to better enjoy the natural facility and provide additional income to the businesses in town by extending tourism stays in the region,” the designers said.
“Importantly, there will be a benefit to NT tourism as a result of the additional and ‘free’ natural recreation activity along the Alice Springs to Darwin route. It is noteworthy that the area is already rated by the few who know it as one of the best natural features in the NT.”