CLIMBING groups and a local MP have slammed the Victorian Government for failing to properly consult with them over plans for the Dyurrite Cultural Landscape (Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park).

The climbing group said Parks Victoria and the Victorian Government were continuing their destruction of the Australian climbing community by increasing climbing bans at Arapiles and ignoring the majority users in any form of consultation.

They claim that permanent bans affect half of Arapiles climbing and now includes The Pharos, Yesterday Gully, Mitre Rock and even Tiptoe Ridge.

Original bans on Declaration Crag, Tiger Wall, Castle Crag and plenty more remain.

The iconic Pines campground is also tipped to be closed.

This has created angst amongst local climbers who fear the bans will expand to cover areas not already banned in the Grampians.

However, in a statement on Monday, Parks Victoria said it was seeking feedback about the draft Management Plan Amendment until early December.

Parks Victoria said its management plan for the Dyurrite Cultural Landscape aimed to balance recreational use and the protection of cultural heritage and the environment.

In the plan, it said upgrades to visitor facilities included new barbecues and picnic tables, improved parking, refreshed tracks, and trails that will make the park more accessible for people, including signage telling the remarkable cultural story of the area. Outdated toilet facilities in Centenary Park will also be replaced.

“We’re updating the plan to reflect what was rediscovered in the recent cultural and environmental surveys (including) tens of thousands of artefacts, scarred trees, rock art with evidence dating back at least 3000 years, and one of the largest indigenous stone quarry complexes found in Australia, threatened plants including the Skeleton Fork Fern (Psilotum nudum) and the Western Pellitory (Parietaria australis)”.

The draft management plan amendment is open for public consultation before being finalised.

Parks Victoria said it had updated stakeholders about the proposed changes to the management plan. 

“We welcome feedback from the community about changes to the management plan,” it said.

“You have the opportunity to provide input on how you would like to receive information, improve map and guideline accessibility, update signage, or use chalk.

“However, the areas that need to be protected will not change.”

Lowan MP, Emma Kealy, also condemned the Victorian Government for failing to consult the local community or climbers over plans to permanently close scores of rock climbing routes at Mt Arapiles.

She said, “Labor quietly released” the Dyurrite (Mt Arapiles) Cultural Landscape Management Plan Amendment on Monday (the day before Melbourne Cup) 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.”

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

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

“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.

“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.

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

The plan at engage.vic.gov.au/dyurrite has submissions open until December 2.

Following the consultation period, Parks Victoria will provide a summary report on the feedback received.