Introducing park entry fees and increasing camping charges for Territory parks would lead to an “enhanced experience” camping in the NT and is not about raising money for a cash-strapped government, Chief Minister Michael Gunner says.

The Gunner Government has faced criticism from some tourism operators and land councils over its proposed introduction of entry fees for interstate and international visitors to Top End parks like Litchfield over the next financial year.

Some industry experts are concerned it could further stagnate an already struggling NT tourism industry still reeling from the effects of COVID-19.

The lack of consultation with traditional owners and tourism operators on the park fees plan – that was first flagged in the 2019 “root and branch” financial review as a revenue raising initiative – has also irked some.

But Mr Gunner said consultation would eventually happen, after the government receives “advice” around what it “can and can’t do” with online campsite booking services.

“I believe in doing consultation once you know exactly what you can and can’t do,” he told ABC Radio on Tuesday morning, adding that he was looking at implementing a mandatory online campsite booking service for particular campsites. The increased fees would be determined based on that.

“I think if you can improve the visitor experience then people are okay to consider what fees and charges are on the way through,” he said.

“Then you’d look at what would be reasonable to potentially charge. If we don’t improve the visitor experience, we don’t raise extra money … If you do it simply from a grounds of ‘how can I make extra cash’, you won’t make the extra cash. People have to want to visit our parks.”

Mr Gunner did not provide a firm timeframe for when consultation might begin. It also remains unclear why it has taken nearly two years for the government to get to their current position of still not knowing how much fees might increase.

Mr Gunner also said the government was committed to continuing to spend more on parks than it brings in with fees.

“We spend a lot more on our parks than we ever raised with fees and we will always spend a lot more on the parks than we raise in fees,” he said.

CLP Opposition deputy leader Gerard Maley said it appeared Mr Gunner was backpedaling after being caught trying to implement a major change without consulting stakeholders.

“This revenue raising measure was earmarked in the 2019 Budget, but disappeared from last years’ budget papers,” Mr Maley said.

“There was no mention of the levy in the lead up to the August election, so what else is this Gunner Labor Government waiting to spring on Territorians? Will fishing licences be next? Or boat registration? We just don’t know.

“This Government needs to get on with fixing the economy, attracting private investment and creating jobs rather than looking for sneaky ways to raise money.

“They can’t tax their way back to prosperity.”