General News
5 December, 2024
Council calls for consultation on Mt Arapiles
Horsham Rural City Council has formally weighed into the debate over plans to close more than 60 per cent of rock-climbing routes at Mt Arapiles.
At its meeting on Monday, council voted unanimously to seek discussion on the issue with state ministers and with the Barengi Gadjin Land Council.
Horsham's newly elected council was responding to more than 130 submissions received from ratepayers in response to the release of a new management plan for the Mt Arapiles-Tooan State Park (Dyurrite Cultural Landscape) by Parks Victoria.
The motion was moved by Cr Brian Klowss, whose Wyn Wyn ward encompasses the town that serves climbing at Mt Arapilies, Natimuk.
"This plan is going to cause devastation to the town of Natimuk and cause great pain to the wider Wimmera communities," Cr Klowss said.
"I've had long talks with the Natimuk local businesses.
"Most are anticipating a 50 per cent downturn as a minimum.
"Others, such as the Climbing Shop, really don't know what their future is now."
Cr Klowss said the flow-on effects to Horsham and the greater Wimmera were "massive and potentially unrepairable".
Cr Klowss read out a list of the highly skilled professionals who had been drawn to the district because of their love of climbing, then added: "The climbing company in Natimuk employs 52 guides, half of which live in Natimuk."
He said roughly 60 per cent of Natimuk CFA volunteers and all members of the high-angle rescue team which was based in the town were climbers.
The motion was seconded by Cr Dean O'Loughlin, who said: "There are a lot of people in the community involved in this – I think this is a great opportunity to engage."
Cr Rebecca Sluggett said she was "disappointed with the timing of this announcement, which has meant that as a council we have very little time to speak directly to our community, which in this case is worldwide, encompassing Traditional Owners, climbers, the Barengi Gadjin Land Council, Natimuk businesses and homeowners, and Parks Victoria".
"The submissions we've received so far highlight the importance of Dyurrite to our region, especially the economy of Natimuk," Cr Sluggett said.
"They express a deep grief and sadness and frustration from the climbing community and residents of Natimuk, many of whom have been part of working bees to maintain walking tracks, revegetation with native species, rubbish clean-ups and weed removal using methods that best protect the area's heritage to the best of their knowledge."
Council will now:
- write to the relevant ministers requesting that they meet with council to discuss the management plan for the Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park (Dyurrite Cultural Landscape) Draft Amendment
- invite Barengi Gadjin Land Council to meet with council to further explain the importance of the Dyurrite Cultural Landscape to Traditional Owners and the future preservation and promotion of cultural heritage and economic growth
- advocate to the state government to seek an extension of time of three months so that effective engagement with the local community can occur, enabling the community to gain a full understanding of the proposed changes and the cultural importance of the site
- advocating to the state government for the establishment of a reference group representing a diverse range of users with strong associations with Dyurrite and the local Natimuk community, to work to oversee the implementation of the amended management plan for the Mt Arapiles-Tooan State Park (Dyurrite Cultural Landscape)
- request that the state government fund an economic and social impact assessment of the site as a destination, including the number of visitors and professional people who as a result
of Mt Arapiles-Tooan State Park (Dyurrite) have chosen to move to the region.