General News
28 November, 2024
Council adopts advocacy role in Mt Arapiles draft plan discussions
HRCC to adopt an advocacy role for Mt Arapiles discussions.
Having received more than 130 submissions in response to the recent Management Plan for Mt Arapiles-Tooan State Park Draft Amendment by the Victorian government to protect cultural heritage sites, Horsham Rural City Council has decided to adopt an advocacy role.
Councillors were advised that most submissions were from the climbing community, and most expressed disappointment with Parks Victoria's lack of community consultation.
However, the agenda stated the majority of submissions received, acknowledged they respected and were sensitive to the cultural heritage significance and value of the site culturally known as Dyurrite Cultural Landscape
The government's announcement followed significant rediscoveries of unique cultural heritage at Dyurrite including one of the largest quarries by traditional owners on record.
It claimed the updated management plan provided certainty for the traditional owners, represented by the Barengi Gadjin Land Council, and all state park users.
Cr Brian Klowss said he had attended several meetings of concerned business owners from Natimuk who would most likely be affected if the rock climbing community did not continue to visit Mt Arapiles because of the ban on several climbing sites.
He listed almost 40 professional people, who he said lived in the area because of the climbing sites and the region was at risk of losing some of them due to the new plan.
A spokesperson for the council said the council's only role in this matter was advocacy with all parties, including Barengi Gadgin and the State government.
HRCC mayor Ian Ross said after the council meeting he hoped the council could help find a way forward that would honour the cultural sites, increase tourism, and preserve a space climbers would still enjoy.
"Council has taken the first step and I think it is important to bring people together to find a mutually beneficial way to move forward," he said.
"The culture of our traditional owners must be respected and honoured, but in doing so, there must be a way we can all continue to enjoy Mt Ararpiles."
The Council unanimously voted for five recommendations, which included contacting relevant ministers, inviting the Barengi Gadjin Land Council to meet with the council, advocating for a three-month extension to the draft plan and suggesting reference groups be established to work together to oversee the implementation of the new plan.
The council also voted to request that the state government fund an economic and social impact assessment of this site as a destination, including the number of visitors and professional people who as a result of Mt Arapiles, have chosen to move to the region.
During the discussion, Cr Dean O'Loughlin said this was a matter that affected many people, including the economy of Natimuk, and said he saw it as an opportunity to engage with the broader community.
Cr Rebecca Skuggett agreed that it could be an opportunity to create a model for reconciliation.
Stuart Harradine, a proud Wotjobaluk man and BGLC Spirit Officer, told The Wimmera Mail-Times he hoped sharing his views and those of his fellow traditional owners would bring about greater understanding between all sections of the community.
"We want people to know that climbing has not been stopped at Dyurrite," he said.
"There are still thousands of climbs for people to do, several of these are iconic and these will continue to be open.
"It is important to us to protect our culture and this plan will bring balance where there was none; the protection of our heritage is important to us.
"We have worked with the Victorian government to bring this investment of $1.7 million to the region to improve the local economy and tourism, not to harm it.
"Working through this plan will bring about sustainable management in which climbing and many other activities currently enjoyed at Dyurrite can continue, and visitors can still enjoy many of the same recreational activities they do now.
"We just want to find a balance so we can all coexist with respect for each other.
"If Dyurrite is important to rock climbers who have been using it for 50+ years, think of the level of importance it holds for people who have been here for 50 thousand+ years."