Traditional landowner groups at the Grampians south-west of the Great Dividing Range in central Victoria have completed an 18-month cultural heritage survey, allowing rock climbers back on the left-hand side of Taipan Wall at Mount Stapylton today.
Key points:
- Parks Victoria’s Jason Borg says the top priority is to protect cultural and environmental values
- The Grampians have 90 per cent of south-eastern Australia’s Aboriginal rock art
- Fifty-one routes are now open for climbers
Gunditjmara, Tjap Wurrung, and Buganditj traditional landowner groups worked closely with Gariwerd Wimmera Reconciliation Network and Parks Victoria to close or reroute climbing trails, change access points and create a plan to allow the site to be used respectfully for recreation.
Parks Victoria regional director Jason Borg said the top priority was to protect cultural and environmental values.
“It was about working out what areas you can and can’t climb,” Mr Borg said.
“Whilst from afar it looks the same, there’s some changes on the ground to make sure people can climb in a respectful way.
“We asked for rerouted access tracks, and there’s been the removal of some bolts to stop people from climbing in areas where there is cultural sensitivity as well.”
Cultural sites ‘everywhere’ in the ranges
Mr Borg said the Grampians had a rich cultural heritage.
“[There are] rock art and quarry sites, and then there’s intangible values as well, which are not physical values,” he said.
“We’ve got exclusion zones there, and we’re really transparent on all the information so that those cultural values can stay intact and last thousands of years more.”
Fifty-one routes are now open for climbers.
“It shows a lot of goodwill from the traditional owner groups,” Mr Borg said.
“[Traditional land owner groups] have shown a willingness to work with Parks Victoria so that climbers can continue to enjoy climbing at Taipan Wall whilst respecting the cultural values that are in place.
“All I ask is that the climbers just respect the exclusion zones and the closed routes, and stick to the new access points and the routes that are open to ensure climbing at Taipan continues long into the future.”
Outdoors Victoria chief executive Andrew Knight said Aboriginal cultural heritage was recognised at the park in 2020.
“The climbing area was subsequently closed, and the long-term solution protecting the cultural values of the area was started through the Greater Gariwerd Landscape Management Plan,” Mr Knight said.
“There’s a tremendous amount of respect for the traditional land owners and wanting to respect cultural heritage.
“It’s been wonderful that everyone’s been able to come together to protect cultural heritage areas as well as being able to have areas for rock climbers to reconnect.”
The Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 includes substantial penalties to provide an effective deterrent against harming Aboriginal cultural heritage.
The maximum penalty is 1,800 penalty units for an individual and 10,000 penalty units for a body corporate.
The ABC has contacted the Gariwerd Wimmera Reconciliation Network for comment.