Rock climbers outraged as scaling cliffs in world-famous national park is banned to 'protect indigenous culture'
- Fears a popular rock climbing destination in Victoria may become off-limits
- Parks Victoria recently imposed climbing bans in Grampians National Park
- There are fears the world renowned Mount Arapiles could be next on the ban list
- Thousands have called for reversal of ban in 30 per cent of the national park
- Parks Victoria assured no-impact climbing is allowed on Mount Arapiles
There are fears one of Australia's most popular destinations for rock climbers could become a scale-free zone.
Climbers fear their enjoyment of Mount Arapiles is under threat after Parks Victoria recently imposed a ban on many routes in the Grampians National Park in the state's west to protect their rich Aboriginal cultural heritage.
The bans affect 30 per cent of climbing areas in Victoria's fourth biggest national park, which climbers claim was done without public consultation.
Thousands of climbers flock to the world renowned Mount Arapiles each year, with growing fears it could be one of the next to become off-limits.
Thousands of climbers comes from all over the world to scale Mount Arapiles (pictured)
Local John Fischer insisted climbers frequently interact with indigenous groups.
'Arapiles is the heart of traditional climbing in Australia,' Mr Fischer told The Australian.
'If we lose Natimuk, we lose the chance to connect to country, place and respect indigenous culture.'
A Parks Victoria spokeswoman assured Daily Mail Australia that no-impact climbing is allowed on Mount Arapiles.
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'Parks Victoria is not currently reviewing rock climbing in Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park,' she said.
'Climbing is allowed in Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park, as it is in around 100,000-hectares of Grampians National Park that is outside of Special Protection Areas.'
'We appreciate that there were rock climbers, tour groups and other park visitors who were not previously aware the Grampians National Park's Special Protection Areas.'
Parks Victoria assured that no-impact climbing is on Mount Arapiles with no plans to review it
The spokeswoman acknowledged that climbers and tour operators have had to modify their activities in other areas of Grampians National Park.
'We do, however, have a responsibility – a legislated one – to protect and conserve the incredible natural and cultural values of Victoria's parks and reserves,' she told Daily Mail Australia.
'We intend to continue working with rock climbers, tour operators and other park users on how they can continue to enjoy the national park in a way that ensures it is protected as a national treasure.'
Penalties of up to $1.6 million apply to groups that fail to protect indigenous heritage.
Parks Victoria announced on Friday that tour operators that offer rock climbing and abseiling in affected areas in the Grampians National Park can continue undertaking activities in Barc Cliff, Back Wall and a section of Wall of Fools until September 30.
The extension allow operators to work with traditional owners to understand and protect the area's unique Aboriginal cultural heritage.
Additional three-month extensions could be offered if strict conditions are adhered to.
Mount Arapiles (pictured) may become a climb-free zone due to its Aboriginal heritage
'Summerday Valley is located in a Special Protection Area that excludes activities like rock climbing and abseiling, and Traditional Owners understand the pressure licensed tour operators might face while we work through the long-term future of the park, so we thank them for their consent,' Parks Victoria chief executive Matthew Jackson said in a statement.
'We continue to welcome all visitors into this precious part of the world, sharing the natural and cultural wonders that make this park so special.'
Grampians Climbing author Simon Carter accused Parks Victoria of pitting traditional owners and climbers against each other.'
'These bans are bewildering, they close some of the safest climbing in the state, they will seriously damage lifestyles, livelihoods and businesses,' he told The Australian.
'It's outrageous that Parks Victoria have not consulted climbers and involved them in the process here, instead parks have demonised climbers, and some at parks have maliciously misled the public about the impact that climbers have had.'
Almost one third of climbing areas in Grampians National Park (pictured) are now off limits
A Change.org petition calling for the climbing ban in the Grampians to be reversed has attracted almost 28,000 supporters so far.
It compared the closure of these sites to climbers similar to akin to surfers losing access to Bells Beach.
'Climbing in the Grampians/Gariwerd is globally significant, with climbers travelling from not only all over Australia but also from all across the world to visit and climb,' the petition states.
'We believe that genuine collaboration between climbers and land managers will allow any restrictions on climbing to be finely and intelligently targeted, without resorting to the blunt instrument of the blanket bans that will drastically impact climbers' access to areas and also have immediate and profound effects on local tourism.'
Thousands have called for the climbing ban in the Grampians National Park to be reversed
- www.theaustralia...https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/grampians-shutdown-angers-climbers/news-story/6db1cd660cb9c7f9de30d52ff20a9bdf?from=htc_rss&utm_source=TheAustralian&utm_content=SocialFlow&utm_medium=Twitter&utm_campaign=EditorialSF
- www.theaustralia...https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/hang-on-they-want-to-ban-a-worldfamous-climb-in-the-grampians/news-story/3871cfdc1b25d5b645003dbb484c6ad2
- www.change.org/p...https://www.change.org/p/stop-climbing-from-being-banned-in-the-grampians?recruiter=54658422&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_term=psf_combo_share_abi.pacific_post_sap_share_gmail_abi.gmail_ab
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