Group pushing for reopening of Wollumbin/Mount Warning as councillor suggests climbers could be charged

A group campaigning to reopen popular Wollumbin/Mt Warning in the Tweed has issued a rallying cry as a councillor calls for a new tourism strategy.

Marc Hendrickx is part of the group pushing to see Wollumbin/Mt Warning reopened to the public.

A social media group pushing for the reopening of popular Wollumbin/Mt Warning in the Tweed to the public has issued a rallying cry.

It comes as Tweed Chamber of Commerce president Warren Polglase has suggested indigenous people of the Tweed could charge people to climb.

Funds raised could go towards maintaining the Mount Warning track and providing educational opportunities for visitors, the longstanding councillor said.

The re-open Mt Warning Facebook page has racked up more than 1800 followers from all over Australia.

A gathering is due to be held in the Tweed this weekend.

It follows the Wollumbin Aboriginal Place Management plan recommending immediate closure of the climb, popular among both locals and tourists.

Wollumbin Consultative Group, which has been involved in the process, has not yet responded to inquiries.

The top of the 1156 metre tall extinct volcano has long been celebrated as the first location on the Australian mainland to see the sun rise.

Wollumbin/Mt Warning in The Tweed. Picture: Destination NSW

But access has been restricted for several years.

Marc Hendrickx, an organiser of the meeting, said closing the climb permanently would be disgraceful. He pointed the finger at NSW National Parks.

“For 20 years, NSW National Parks have ignored the true custodians of the land who came out against the management plan put forward,” he claimed.

“The claims (to close the track) are misleading both the public and the minister has been misled by NSW National Parks”

Mr Hendrickx said the meeting on Saturday was not a protest.

“It is a community gathering group of people who are supporting the reopening of Mount Warning to the public after it being closed for three years for no good reason.” he said.

“What we are really trying to do is get more locals to lead the campaign.

“It’s the first real step of a public gathering and an opportunity for how we can persuade NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to change their mind.

“We are championing public access to the awe and wonder of the summit.”

Climber Andrew Haywood said on Facebook that “closing the track defies logic”.

“I grew up in Murwillumbah and climbed the mountain many times” he said.

“Every climb I did, I experienced a spiritual connection with the land, valley, and its people.”

Tweed Shire councillor Warren Polglase.

Councillor Warren Polglase said the Mount Warning track was one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Northern Rivers.

He said a proposal had been put forward to local indigenous people to be responsible for the track.

“They could be custodians of their own asset … the asset could be maintained by the Aboriginal people by charging $10 for each person that climbs up Mount Warning.”

“Roughly 100,000 people a year climbed Mount Warning with about 250,000 tourists coming through Murwillumbah, o the investment would pay off.”

Mr Polglase said Murwillumbah businesses were losing out due to the summit closure.

“A lot of the coffee and cake shops in Murwillumbah got a bit of income out of the climb,” he said.

The community gathering will be held at Knox Park, Murwillumbah at 11am on Saturday.

NSW National Parks was contacted for comment, but provided a media release from December.

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment stated discussions were ongoing about the development of alternative experiences, such as new bushwalking trails in the Tweed.

Originally published as Group pushing for reopening of Wollumbin/Mount Warning as councillor suggests climbers could be charged