General News
30 March, 2023
Climbers 'leaving' over ban
The continuing ban on climbing sites in the Grampians has forced some families to move away from the region, according to Member for Lowan Emma Kealy. Ms Kealy, speaking in state parliament, said bans should be lifted on climbing sites found to have...
The continuing ban on climbing sites in the Grampians has forced some families to move away from the region, according to Member for Lowan Emma Kealy.
Ms Kealy, speaking in state parliament, said bans should be lifted on climbing sites found to have no evidence of significant risk to cultural heritage or the natural environment.
“It is now over four years since Parks Victoria announced the original bans on climbing across over 530 square kilometres of the Grampians and I am advised that well over 300 climbing sites are still not assessed,” Ms Kealy said.
While acknowledging that it was “extremely important” to protect identified cultural heritage sites, she said at the current rate of assessment it would take “another decade” for all site assessments to be completed.
“This situation continues to place enormous pressure on our $25 million outdoor recreational climbing industry and associated businesses in the region, with many climbers and their families making the difficult decision to move away from the region,” she said.
Ms Kealy said in places where Parks Victoria had completed assessments and found no evidence of risk to cultural heritage or environment, prohibitions should be rescinded.
She also called for funding to allow outstanding assessments to be completed by the end of this year.
“This will ensure that sites of cultural significance can be properly and respectfully protected while at the same time protecting the economic and viability of our local rock climbing and tourism industry,” Ms Kealy said.