The homestead, a unique reminder of the NT’s pastoral history, and its giant Indian rain trees, have been closed to the public for several years.

“Springvale Homestead is one of my favourite spots in Katherine and I am very sympathetic to Mr Sarny and his push to reopen one of Katherine’s iconic tourist attractions,” Ms Nelson said.

Travel North’s Werner Sarny has asked for government help to cut through the red tape which is causing the stalemate on the privately owned tourist attraction. 

“Due to public and environmental health dangers, Springvale Homestead is required to satisfactory deal with sewage and waste water treatment issues before it can reopen,” Ms Nelson said.

“To ensure that locals and tourists are safe from sewage and wastewater from Springvale, public health experts have stated that Mr Sarny will need to install alternative septic tank systems which produce a much higher quality effluent than the type Mr Sarny is proposing,” Ms Nelson said.

“There are several issues that make this situation a bit complex, and I will continue to work with Mr Sarny and the relevant government agencies in finding ways that we can best support Mr Sarny in his push to reopen Springvale Homestead.”

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Springvale needs our love.