PROJECT
www.jaconline.com.au
Kakadu National Park Map
 Ross Wilson
Kakadu National Park is one of the most ecologically and biologically diverse landscapes in the world. Landforms include
a sandstone plateau and escarpment, savannah grasslands, woodlands and open forests, rivers, billabongs, floodplains
and mudflats, waterfalls and wetlands. With such a variety of habitats, an extensive and varied series of ecosystems have
evolved, comprising some 275 bird species, 60 different types of mammals, 75 reptiles, 25 varieties of frogs, and over
10 000 types of insects and 1600 plants.
Aboriginal people who lived in this region recognised six distinct seasons and their life revolved around these; we
recognise basically only two — the wet and the dry. During the monsoon season (the wet), the escarpment is turned into
a vast waterfall and low-lying lands are flooded and become wetlands. Then comes the long, hot dry season when water
is scarce. Waterfalls are reduced to a mere trickle and many streams turn into dry sandy wastes.
One of the low-lying wetland areas of Kakadu National Park
Kakadu is not just a magnet for hordes of tourists; it is also coveted for its large deposits of uranium ore. The Ranger
Uranium Mine, located on land leased from its traditional owners, is adjacent to a large number of popular tourism sites.
The mine area is subject to strict environmental controls because of the sensitive nature of the environment and the
potential for its harm. Tailings (finely ground waste material left after the uranium has been extracted) are placed in
special dams and covered with water all of the time.
Two other mining leases (where rich deposits of uranium ore have been identified) have been proposed at Jabiluka
and at Koongarra, with the Jabiluka mine proposed as an underground facility. These developments, though of great
economic benefit, have been strongly opposed on a number of other fronts. A primary concern is that many of the byproducts of uranium mining remain radioactive for 10 000 years. Such products would have to be permanently stored
within a World Heritage Area in such a way that there was no risk of leakage or an industrial accident.
© John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd 2005
2004-08-Kakadu-np.pdf
(Page 1 of 2)
PROJECT
www.jaconline.com.au
Use the information in this worksheet, and in the source listed in the Reference, to
complete the following activities.
1.
Explain why tailings dams are an important part of uranium mining.
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2.
Why do you think there is such strong opposition to uranium mining in Kakadu National Park? What risks might there
be to both the natural and human environment?
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3.
Refer to the map overleaf (and the source listed in the References, as applicable) to complete the following:
(a) Use the scale on the map to estimate the approximate area (in square kilometres) of Kakadu National Park.
Approximately what proportion of the area of Tasmania does this represent?
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(b) The park contains almost all the catchment of which river?
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(c) Near which rock — a very popular tourist site — is the Koongarra mining lease?
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(d) How old are the oldest rocks in Kakadu?
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(e) How high is the escarpment at Jim Jim Falls?
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(f)
Where are the bulk of tourist facilities located in relation to the Ranger Uranium Mine? Include an estimated
distance and compass direction in your answer.
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(g) What sort of facilities might need to be provided in a region such as this to cater for tourists? Suggest how this
demand could be managed to minimise impact on the environment.
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(h) What do you think poses the greatest risk to the long-term preservation of the Kakadu National Park
environment — tourism or uranium mining? Justify your answer.
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References:
SOSE Alive 3, pp. 138–9 ▪ SOSE Alive Geography 2, pp. 42–3
© John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd 2005
2004-08-Kakadu-np.pdf
(Page 2 of 2)
132˚E
Van Diemen Gulf
Darwin
Kakadu
National
Park
Field Island
0
20
40 km
Northern
Te r r i t o r y
Barron Island
Ea
st
Finke
Bay
Al
lig
Alligator
Kakadu Resort
y
t
Hwy
es
W
Hw
Warradjan
Aboriginal
Cultural Centre
Northern
Entrance
Station
Jabiru East
Cooinda Lodge
Ranger Mine
Ma
ge
Koongarra
+ Mining Lease
Nourlangie
Rock
la
Kak
Jim
adu
ad
Ro
Jim
Jabiru
Jim
Jim
Ranger
Mining Lease
r
ve
Ri
Darwin
133 km
Ri
ve
r
Bowali Visitor Centre
Park Headquarters
River
Arnhem
tor
iga
All
i
W
Oenpelli
Jabiluka
Mining Lease
Kapalga
n
a
ldm
or
East Alligator
Ranger Station
h
ut
So
River
Riv
er
at
Kakadu
National
Park
ek
Cre
Jim Jim Falls
uth
So
Twin Falls
Al
lig
Arnhem Land
Plateau
Southern Park
Entrance Station
ato
r
y
Hw
er
Riv
u
Kakad
Mary River
Roadhouse
Rive
r
th
Ka
Unsealed road
Camping site
Hig
Airstrip
ay
hw
14˚S
er
t
Sealed road
Pine
Creek
e
r
ua
Kakadu National Park boundary
Arnhem Land
Plateau
in
St
Plateau/escarpment
N
Built facility
Swamp/wetland
132˚E
Map by MAPgraphics Pty Ltd, Brisbane
14˚S