‘What are they going to do, chase someone up?’ Victorian rock climbers scorn ban on Mount Arapiles Indigenous sites | Victoria

Rock climbers are discussing openly flouting Victoria’s voluntary bans on routes near Mount Arapiles, despite the state government’s request that the area’s Indigenous heritage be respected.

The region in the state’s west is considered among Australia’s leading rock climbing destinations. It also contains millennia-old rock art, as well as other important Indigenous sites.

According to the Parks Victoria management plan, the site contains tens of thousands of artefacts, scarred trees, rock art dating back at least 3,000 years and one of the largest Indigenous quarry complexes in Australia.

The agency asked climbers not to climb five routes in the park.

“While Parks Victoria and Barengi Gadjin Land Council determine a longer-term management response and out of respect for this important cultural landscape, visitors are asked not to enter this area,” a notice published online by Parks Victoria says.

An amendment to the Dyurrite cultural landscape management plan is being developed, This could lead to a ban. There have been no changes to climbing access to Mount Arapiles and Parks Victoria has no power to enforce voluntary bans.

The plan also includes some areas designated for rock climbing.

But scores of comments on a climbing Facebook page for Victorians suggest many won’t go along with it.

“If they want to ban certain areas they better get educated,” one commenter said. “What are they going to do…chase someone for 30?”

Another said: “I love resisting any proposed climbing and bouldering restrictions anywhere in Australia, it’s my other sport.”

_{Sign up: AÜ Breaking News email}

The results of this year’s consultation process showed similar opposition to the bans.

It ended in February after hearing from more than 1,000 people, 90 percent of whom were rock climbers.

The most common “theme” noted in the summary report of feedback was the importance of rock climbing in the region.

“Participants felt the changes were a significant loss and disregard for the climbing community, diminishing Mount Arapiles as a premier climbing destination,” he said.

The consultation received 581 submissions, 1,094 online surveys and held an online information session with more than 365 people.

“The overwhelming majority of participants expressed concern about the consultation process and felt a strong sense of loss for their beloved rock climbing activity,” the report concluded.

“While many participants respected the need to protect cultural heritage, there was strong feedback to re-evaluate the scope of permanent restrictions.

“The climbing community has formed a special bond with the land that should not be ignored.”

Voluntary bans apply to Chicken Boulder, Pharos Boulders, Plaque Rock, Taylors Rock and Castle Crag on the following basis:Significant Aboriginal cultural values ​​exist”.

state government published a draft plan last year that would ban the sport in about half of Mount Arapiles-Tooan state park.

“The great outdoors should be experienced and admired, not locked away,” a Victorian government spokesman said.

“Work on the management plan has been paused while the Community Working Group works together to create more diverse and inclusive opportunities for people to enjoy and access Dyurrite,” the spokesperson said.

Arapiles, also known as Dyurrite, contains climbs that are considered among the best in the country. Attracts thousands of visitors each year, according to Parks Victoria.