Minister responds to petition with 1003 signatures to reopen the Mt Warning summit

A petition has been tabled to the NSW parliament calling on the state to work with local indigenous communities to have the climb reopened. Read the full response >>>

A petition to reopen the summit of Mt Warning has been responded to.

A petition to reopen the summit track at Mt Warning has been tabled with 1003 signatures.

The petition was launched earlier this year asking to reopen the summit to Wollumbin also known as Mt Warning, which has been closed since March last year due to Covid restrictions.

The chains to the top of the mountain were also removed before documents released under Freedom of information revealed plans to close the mountain by November 2022.

These documents were, however, unconfirmed.

View from the Mt Warning summit.

Petitioner and local bushwalker Craig Murphy also proposed a user-pays system which would generate enough revenue to pay for the maintenance required.

The petition further requests the parliament installs relevant signage among other initiatives to promote reconciliation and understanding of local indigenous culture in our community, including the significance of the mountain.

“The track should be maintained with safety at the final summit section easily improved,” the petition reads

“The Mount Warning summit is a beautiful, natural, healthy, experience providing a unique appreciation of our culture, environment and an opportunity to appreciate this special land we have.”

Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean responded to the petition on July 26 stating the closure had been extended to November 2021 due to public safety risks and to allow further consultation with the indigenous community and other key stakeholders about the future management of the site.

“As you may know, the upper reach of Wollumbin was declared an Aboriginal Place in 2014 in recognition of its special significance to Aboriginal people,” Mr Kean said in the response.

“This affords the place special protections.

“I understand the local Aboriginal community has long expressed a view that access to the summit should be closed due to its significance.”

He said the NSW Government was investing in a range of visitor infrastructure across the region including the $7.35 million Tweed Byron Hinterland Trails project which would provide a four-day walk from Unicorn Falls to Minyon Falls with new and upgraded visitor facilities at key points along the trail.

An Aboriginal Place Management Plan is in the process of being finalised.