Toowoomba council to review safety signage on Table Top Mountain after recent rescues of hikers

Improvements will be made to warn hikers of the dangers of climbing Table Top Mountain following a spate of rescues on the iconic landmark.

Signage and access to key information will be improved for hikers attempting to climb the “rough and steep” Table Top Mountain, following a series of serious falls and rescues on the iconic landmark.

But the Toowoomba Regional Council has reminded residents to tackle the landmark at their own risk, calling it a “matter of personal responsibility”.

Councillors were informed at Tuesday’s ordinary meeting that its environment and community department would explore upgrading signage at the bottom of Table Top Mountain, also known as Meewah.

It comes a few weeks after two people needed to be rescued after falling from the mountain, including one climber who fell more than 30m.

Various rescues from Table Top Mountain.

At least 10 hikers have needed to be rescued by either chopper or ambulance in the past five years.

In response to a question by councillor Tim McMahon, environment and community general manager Nick Hauser said Table Top was a grade five climb, noting hikers should be aware of the risks before attempting it.

“It really is a matter of personal responsibility when it comes to climbing that mountain,” he said.

“Grade five, which is Table Top, (is reserved for) an unformed track for experienced bushwalkers.

“It is very rough and steep, it’s not maintained and it’s not signposted on its length.

“(Signage at the bottom is) where council’s responsibility is in advising those who are thinking about climbing the mountain about what they’re about to experience.”

The top of Meewah poking through a layer of fog. Photo: Timothy Swinson

But Mr Hauser said his department would undertake a review of signage and look to improve it.

“There might be an opportunity for us to go and have a closer look at that sign, but whether it’s capturing the attention of people, maybe pictograms,” he said.

“As a result of the inquiry, we’ll go and undertake that assessment and perhaps there’s an additional sign we could install.”