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Sport and Recreation | November 06, 2024

Labor fails community, climbers with Mt Arapiles plan

The Nationals’ Member for Lowan, Emma Kealy, has condemned the Allan Labor Government for failing to consult the local community or climbers over plans to permanently close scores of rockclimbing routes at Mt Arapiles.

Labor quietly released the Dyurrite (Mt Arapiles) Cultural Landscape Management Plan Amendment on Monday after a secretive four-year process to investigate cultural heritage in the area, which involved no community or industry consultation.

Ms Kealy said up to half of all climbing routes at the mountain would be shut under the plans, which would devastate the local community.

“Mt Arapiles is a world-renowned, iconic climbing destination that attracts tens of thousands of climbers to the region every year and underpins tourism and the economy in Natimuk and the wider area,” she said.

“It is to climbers what Bells Beach is to surfers. Imagine the government closing Bells Beach with no notice, no right of appeal, no transparency, and no accountability.

“Locals and climbers care deeply about cultural heritage and have always supported its protection, but had been waiting for an opportunity to provide input into these plans – it never came.

“I have already heard from climbers across Australia and overseas, some of whom have already cancelled planned trips to Mt Arapiles next year.

“Climbing attracts young professionals such as doctors, teachers and lawyers to the area, who can combine a career with a world-class pastime.

“The government has opened a so-called consultation on its plans, but has openly admitted that any feedback about the areas identified in the plan as needing protection won’t be considered.

“Labor is deliberately ignoring the local community and climbers, giving them no voice in a decision that will have a monumental impact on them and will devastate our region.

“It is a bitter blow that we will fight.”

Ms Kealy said the Nationals and Liberals would review this decision if they won the state election, as part of a broader review of Victoria’s cultural heritage laws.

“Communities deserve a right of appeal for decisions made behind closed doors, but once again we’re seeing Labor completely stifle community voices and make decisions without local input,” she said.

“We saw the same thing happen five years ago when Labor cut access in the Grampians National Park without any consultation, and through its continued failures to engage with communities on many other projects.

“Labor doesn’t listen, can’t manage projects and our community is paying the price.

“The Nationals and Liberals in government will review all rockclimbing bans at Mt Arapiles and the Grampians to ensure fairness and balance for everyone.”

The plan is available at https://engage.vic.gov.au/dyurrite, with submissions open until December 2.