Grampians rock climbers could face fines after areas shut down to the public

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has backed controversial Grampians rock climbing bans saying the wide-spread closures were necessary to protect Indigenous cultural sites.

Rock climber Kerrin Gale scales the mighty Taipan Wall on the Dance of Life climb in 2019 in the Grampians, which is a permitted climb. Picture: Simon Carter

Rock climbers in the Grampians are being targeted by public service investigators and face hefty fines of up to $346,000 for entering cultural heritage sites.

Victoria’s First Peoples — State Relations Unit has been covertly using ­vehicle registrations and other spy tactics to catch climbers at the Grampians National Park who may be breaking cultural heritage laws, The Australian reports.

Under the state’s Aboriginal Heritage Act, cultural heritage is protected, with anyone interfering with them, whether there is viable damage or not, facing the huge fines.

Australian Climbing Association Vic says the state government is moving to shut down most of the Grampians for public use.

One rock climber reported receiving two visits from a unit investigator who works within the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

It’s reported investigator Adam Green claimed that on October 18 the unnamed owner’s vehicle had been identified in multiple alleged offences, which also could potentially be dealt with under the Crimes Act.

Rock climbing, walking and camping has been banned in large parts of the Grampians from 2019 to respect these cultural spots.

Australian Climbing Association Vic­toria president Mike Tomkins said the Victorian government was now aggressively moving to shut down most of the Grampians to public use.

“It’s pretty horrible that it’s happening,’’ he said.

Premier Jacinta Allan has backed controversial rock climbing bans. Picture: David Crosling

Jacinta Allan backed the controversial bans, saying it was important to protect certain areas deemed culturally significant.

But on Thursday the Premier said there were no plans to keep rock climbers out altogether, and saying she had “no advice” a total ban was being pursued.

Ms Allan said the wide-spread bans, covering 500sq km, including large swathes of prime rock climbing wall, were necessary to protect Indigenous cultural sites.

“The natural beauty that attracts so many of us to that beautiful part of the world also needs to be protected and supported and that is why there are certain areas that need to be protected from an environmental perspective or from Aboriginal cultural heritage perspective,” she said.

Ms Allan said “a significant amount of work” had been done to ensure people could still access the area.

“Particularly for climbers who want to undertake that activity, they can do that in certain areas of the park,” she said.