Thousands of people sign petition against the Victorian government’s move to shut Mt Arapiles

More than 2500 people have signed a petition calling for the government to come clean on its plan to close swathes of the Mt Arapiles park and ban rock climbing and camping.

Mt Arapiles in western Victoria. Picture: David Geraghty

Thousands of Victorians have rallied against the Allan government’s decision to close swathes of the Mt Arapiles park and shut down rock climbing routes and camping spots.

More than 2500 people have signed a petition in the Legislative Assembly of Victoria in just 24 hours, calling for the government to come clean on it plan and halt progress until more community groups could be properly consulted.

Nationals Deputy Leader Emma Kealy said the huge response showed the community was not on-board with the state’s move to close the area and called on the Allan government to consult further before carrying out the plan.

Victorians have rallied against the Allan government’s decision to close swathes of the Mt Arapiles park and shut down rock climbing and camping spots. Picture: David Geraghty

“Natimuk and the global climbing community were blindsided by Labor’s decision to shut down the most high profile climbs and beginner climbs at Mt Arapiles,” Ms Kealy said.

“Premier Allan said she wouldn’t lock up Victoria’s public land, yet that’s exactly what she’s done.”

The Victorian government dropped the news to climbers on the eve of the Melbourne Cup and the US elections amid a looming revolt that will test Parks Victoria’s authority and credibility.

The move came after Premier Jacinta Allan promised only three months ago that she would not “padlock” Victoria’s state forests.

In a statement in August as Ms Allan said: “As Premier, and as a proud country Victorian, I will never put a padlock on our public forest.”

After the announcement a government spokesperson said: “This is about giving certainty to Victorians – respecting the significance of these cultural heritage sites and giving climbers confidence with more than half of the rock climbing areas open.”