Anger at decision to ban hiking on Mt Gillen

HIKING enthusiasts have called the ban on hiking to the top of Mt Gillen ‘another nail in the coffin of tourism in Central Australia’.

• Mt Gillen hikers to be banned at request of traditional custodians and for safety concerns

HIKING enthusiasts have called the ban on hiking to the top of Mt Gillen “another nail in the coffin of tourism in Central Australia”.

The popular steep and testing walk, which is unformalised, unsignposted and travels from the Flynn’s Grave car park to the summit, will be closed from March 1 next year at the request of traditional custodians and amid concerns for public safety on the unmaintained trail.

Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security (DEPWS) parks and wildlife operations senior director Chris Day said through ongoing consultations with the Department and Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA), Mparntwe custodians had made it clear their preferred course of action was to close access to the trail permanently.

“After many years working to explore alternative, safe routes, it has been decided that closing access is the only option,” Mr Day said.

The view from the top of Mt Gillen near Alice Springs. Picture: Phil Williams

“Out of respect for the traditional custodians, signage has been installed requesting the public no longer use this sacred site for recreational purposes. Access will be closed from 1 March 2021.”

However, local MLA Robyn Lambley said residents had reported they felt left out of the decision.

“People are saying that DEPWS consulted with the traditional owners but they haven’t consulted with the broader community.”

On an NT News Facebook thread most of the feedback came from upset residents.

Jade Tarrant said closing Mt Gillen “takes away a much loved opportunity to be among nature in a low impact way”.

“It is good for the community and good for kids. There has got to be a way to respect culture and also respect community access, healthy exercise and being among nature,” she said.

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Carey Joy said she would like to see fit youth employed to maintain the track and guide walkers along it.

Others welcomed the decision as a “great move”.

Traditional custodian and AAPA spokesman, Benedict Stevens, said the site was central to Ayeye Akngwelye Mpartnwe-arenyethe – Dog Story of Alice Springs.

“The climbing track never should have been there, and the old people have asked for a long time for it to be closed,” he said.

“We share this place. We want to keep the people and the sites safe. It is important to respect the sacred sites, and we are pleased Parks is now asking people to stop climbing this way.”

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AAPA board chairman Bobby Nunggumarjbarr said the authority supported the decision for “safety and cultural reasons”.