Climbers are openly encouraging their colleagues to defy Parks Victoria's calls to avoid culturally significant routes on Mount Arapiles Dyurrite as the debate over access to the destination in western Victoria continues.
Parks Victoria has urged climbers to stay away from five climbs on the site, which is the subject of a proposed management plan to protect culturally significant areas.
Ignoring the request has no legal consequences.
Parks Victoria's request to avoid the areas is not supported by legally enforceable rules. (Delivered: Mike Rockell)
In the Climbing Access Discussion – Victoria Facebook group, which has about 4,200 members, several users are pleading for climbers to ignore Parks Victoria's request.
The comments were passionate, frequent, and came from multiple climbers.
“Just keep climbing!!!”
“Climb wherever you want…you just practice your culture.”
“All climbs at Arapiles remain open.”
“The 'voluntary bans' are nothing more than a smokescreen.”
Some commentators said the disregard should extend to the forced closure of Grampians Gariwerd.
Climbing is prohibited at several locations in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park, including the Taipan Wall, the Gallery and the Millennium Caves.
Other routes in the park remain open to climbers.
Parks Victoria said it would not comment on social media posts and the five voluntary closures remained in place.
“Every change takes time”
Mahnaz Alimardanian is a researcher at the University of Melbourne's Mabo Centre, which works with the National Native Title Council to support the self-determination of traditional owners.
Mahnaz Alimardanian says change takes time. (Delivered: Mahnaz Alimardanian)
She said voluntary heritage protection measures, such as those in place at Mount Arapiles Dyurrite, could work if there was more cultural education.
She said the mainstream media, education system and influential people in all communities can play an important role in raising public awareness.
“The fact is that all change takes time and happens on its own terms.”
said Dr. Alimardanian.
“[The] The introduction of alternative sites and/or options and the development of management plans, guided and informed by the associated Aboriginal title or Aboriginal land and heritage representative bodies, in consultation with all interested parties, including climbing and local communities, may further strengthen any proposed ban.
The Barengi Gadjin Land Council (BGLC), which represents traditional owners of the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk peoples, has been contacted for comment.
“Excluded and devalued”
Climbing Victoria is the pinnacle for climbing in Victoria.
In its submission to the region's draft management plan, the group described Parks Victoria's plan as “exclusionary” and said it contained “disproportionate restrictions” on climbing.
Mount Arapiles Dyurrite seen from the Miter Rock sea stack. (Delivered: Ross Cayley)
“The draft amendment to the management plan for Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park (Dyurrite Cultural Landscape) should have been an important step forward toward reconciliation, trust and shared care for the land,” the filing said.
“Instead, many people have the feeling of being deliberately excluded and devalued.“
Climbing Victoria said the draft plan lacked clear risk criteria and therefore did not meet legal and policy standards.
“The Decision Framework’s narrative, which portrays climbing as an act of colonization and portrays climbers as inherently disrespectful or harmful, represents a form of racial stereotyping and stigmatization,” Climbing Victoria said in the filing.
The organization argued there was insufficient evidence to support closures, which would harm relations between the climbing community and traditional owners.
Further working group meetings are planned between December 15 and 19, when BGLC Climbing Victoria is expected to provide survey data and additional site information.