Uluru climb to be banned from October 2019

ULURU will be shut to climbers from October 2019. The Uluru-Kata Tjuta park board — made up primarily of the site’s traditional owners — have today voted to ban climbing the rock. HAVE YOUR SAY

ULURU will be shut to climbers from October 2019. The Uluru-Kata Tjuta park board — made up primarily of the site’s traditional owners — have today voted to ban climbing the rock.

Anangu senior traditional owner and board chairman Sammy Wilson told the board Uluru’s custodians had been “intimidated” into keeping the climb open.

“Over the years Anangu have felt a sense of intimidation, as if someone is holding a gun to our heads to keep it open. Please don’t hold us to ransom,” he said.

Mr Wilson said the time was right.

“This decision is for both Anangu and non-Anangu together to feel proud about; to realise, of course it’s the right thing to close it,” he said.

“The land has law and culture. We welcome tourists here. Closing the climb is not something to feel upset about but a cause for celebration.

“Let’s come together; let’s close it together.”

He asked for people to respect the decision of the board.

“If I travel to another country and there is a sacred site, an area of restricted access, I don’t enter or climb it, I respect it. It is the same here for Anangu,” he said.

We welcome tourists here. We are not stopping tourism, just this activity.”

The climb will shut October 26 2019 — the 34th anniversary of the hand back of Uluru and Kata Tjuta to the Anangu.

People climbing Uluru late in the evening. Picture: LINDSAY MOLLER

Under the terms of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Management Plan 2010-2020, the climb is to close permanently when the proportion of climbers falls below 20 per cent, or when the board is satisfied there are enough alternatives to keep visitors coming.

Only 16 per cent of the visitors to Uluru on the days the climb was open between 2011 and 2015 chose to make the trek.

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National Parks director Sally Barnes said the tourism industry would have time to adjust.

“We’ve always committed to giving the tourism industry at least 18 months’ notice,” she said.

“While there has been a significant reduction in the numbers of people wanting to climb, to less than 20 per cent, today we’ve got many alternative activities on place on the ground that people can enjoy instead of climbing.

“This is a significant moment for all Australians and marks a new chapter in our history. It clearly says we put country and culture first when managing this place for all Australians and our visitors from around the world.”