Submissions to the Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park, Dyurrite Cultural Landscape, Management Plan included 18,339 visitors to the Engage Victoria webpage; 1094 responses to an online survey; 581 submissions received; and 365-plus attendees at an online information session.

According to the Parks Victoria community engagement summary report, the overwhelming majority of participants expressed concern about the consultation process and felt a strong sense of loss for rock climbing.

While many participants showed respect for the need to protect cultural heritage, there was strong feedback calling for the scope of the permanent restrictions to be reconsidered.

The main themes centred on the importance of rock climbing at Dyurrite – to both climbers and the local community – for many reasons including connection to nature and friends, emotional wellbeing and mental health benefits, and economic and tourism benefits; and that rock climbers make a significant contribution in protecting and maintaining the landscape.

There was also strong feedback that there had not been enough consultation or communication with climbers and the Natimuk community, and there was a  need to provide a more balanced approach and a review of permanent restrictions.

A small proportion of respondents supported the proposed amendment. 

Those who supported the amendment said the changes achieved ‘a much-needed balance to protect nature and cultural heritage while retaining rock-climbing and bushwalking’ and they supported self-determination by Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk people to protect cultural heritage.

The majority of respondents wanted to see lists and maps of what climbs are open and closed, and reasons for each; a collaborative open dialogue between Parks Victoria, climbing organisations and community members; with information available on the Parks Victoria website.

While clean rock climbing techniques were considered to already be the standard at Mount Arapiles, suggestions included engaging the climbing community to promote clean climbing practices and help develop guidelines and the use of chalk that matched the rock colour. People also called for more information about the cultural significance of the landscape, full results of the cultural and environmental survey, and a more detailed understanding of the cultural heritage sites to avoid and protect them.

RELATED: Arapiles management plan under review

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