TThe information below is NO LONGER CURRENT. Please check our Closed Areas page for the latest information.
After an overwhelming response from climbers sending messages/phonecalls of concern to politicians and Parks Victoria over the last 24 hours (hurrah!) there has been further clarification about Special Protection Areas areas from Parks Victoria. The good news? We can apparently now climb in the SPA regions (Summerday, Hollow Mtn, Eureka, Muline etc) providing we be extra vigilant about protecting the environment (which is an obvious no brainer for anyone following this sorry tale). See list of crags open here. The letter sent to various climbers from Parks Victoria says:
“Parks Victoria is currently only undertaking enforcement activities to prevent rock climbing at those eight key locations marked with blue squares on the maps on our website and signage is installed at these locations. In the broader Special Protected Areas (outside the eight key areas), Parks Victoria undertaking enforcement activity relating to activities not permitted in any National Park such as cutting or damaging vegetation (for instance to make or enhance tracks or from the use of drop mats [bouldering matts]), lighting fires outside of designated fireplaces, depositing litter, interfering with Aboriginal cultural heritage such as rock art or any damage to rock faces such as drilling holes.”
This is great news but one problem is we don’t really know where the majority of rock art is, but at least we can address the other issues head on. No drilling, no fires, no new tracks, don’t trample vegetation with bouldering mats and in general keep a tidy ship. Remove any rubbish you find – even if it is not yours, or even climbers. Clean up chalk. No new routes or problems. Minimal impact.
Back to the Parks Vic letter – even better it appears our message about the financial loss to the region from climbers being turned away has sunk into those in the government. They finished their letter with…
“We acknowledge the physical, social and economic benefits climbing brings to our communities, and understand the rock climbing community cares passionately about the Grampians National Park.”
It is important we continue to apply pressure to politicians, councils, regional tourism groups and Parks Victoria about these climbing bans in the Grampians. If you haven’t sent a letter to all of the above we really need you to do it – now! We haven’t won back Grampians climbing. All we have managed is a stay of execution and we still can’t climb at the original 8 areas (including The Gallery and Millennium). Lets hope this is the start of a proper consultation between climbers, indigenous groups and the government. Fingers crossed.
The full letter is published below:
Thank you for your email regarding climbing in the Grampians National Park. Your support in leaving no trace, using clean climbing techniques and encouraging your peers to do the same is greatly appreciated.
Parks Victoria is currently only undertaking enforcement activities to prevent rock climbing at those eight key locations marked with blue squares on the maps on our website and signage is installed at these locations. In the broader Special Protected Areas (outside the eight key areas), Parks Victoria undertaking enforcement activity relating to activities not permitted in any National Park such as cutting or damaging vegetation (for instance to make or enhance tracks or from the use of drop mats), lighting fires outside of designated fireplaces, depositing litter, interfering with Aboriginal cultural heritage such as rock art or any damage to rock faces such as drilling holes.
Over the coming months, Parks Victoria will be reviewing the Grampians National Park Management Plan. A Stakeholder Reference Group will be established where Parks Victoria will meet with affected partners, Licensed Tourism Operators, stakeholder groups and local businesses – including the rock climbing community – to identify where in the Grampians National Park climbing can continue. Special Protection Area boundaries may change.
We will share further information as this process progresses to ensure you are best informed to determine where you choose to live, work and holiday in future. We acknowledge the physical, social and economic benefits climbing brings to our communities, and understand the rock climbing community cares passionately about the Grampians National Park.
Thanks, Parks Victoria
Save Grampians Climbing 
Perhaps a generic letter we can send would work? When ever I need to send something to the powers that be, a generic letter helps. I will personalise it but it takes the burden off thinking for myself and gives a consistent message.
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Please see this page: https://savegrampiansclimbing.org/sample-arguments/
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Is it please possible for the letter from Parks Victoria to be posted? This will greatly enhance clarity for all climbers.
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Full letter added at end of blog
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Can we please not forget how that all started and not assume everything is ok now. What about not publishing any new climbs boulders, not bolting anything and policing ourselves better? Call people out who do the wrong thing!
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Climbers really do reek of privilege. While few people will acknowledge their own impact on the environment while climbing, few of us can really deny observing the impacts of climbers as a whole on cliffs and environments.
The Parks Victoria ban effectively removed some toys from the toy box of climbers, while the whole rest of the toy box is right there open to be played with.
The fuss, the letters, the outrage by the community shows less an understanding of why bans have been created in the first place and more a blindness to our own privilege.
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