Continue reading Park Vic ranger’s harassment & intimidation of climbers – a personal story“you do not have to do or say anything, but anything you may say or do may be given in evidence. Do you understand that?“
Not the words you expect to hear when going about a day’s climbing in the Grampians…
Category Archives: Parks Vic
Auditor-General investigates Parks Victoria and archeologist Ben Gunn
The Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO) has published a scathing review into Park Victoria’s procurement process in regards to assessing Aboriginal rock art sites at rock climbing areas in the Grampians and Arapiles by the archeologist Robert (Ben) Gunn and Parks Victoria staff member Jake Goodes. These two key players in the climbing bans are not named in the report but we are very happy to name them here. We knew this was suss all along and it’s good to see this has actually caught the attention of the government department responsible for checking how “effectively public sector agencies are providing services and using public money“.
Continue reading Auditor-General investigates Parks Victoria and archeologist Ben Gunn
Legal Action in the Supreme Court (Plus Formal Complaints)
- October 2020 sees climbers vs PV in court
- VCC submits a formal complaint to Victorian Ombudsman’s Office
- ACAV submits formal complaint to Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists
- New FOI documents reveal dodgy archeological procurement from PV
- Victorian Climbing Management Guidelines launched
The Sandinista Scandal – White Lies from PV
Could Parks Victoria mistake natural white rock & bird poo for climbing chalk in their rush to ban climbing? Yes they could. What you are about to read is one of those big moments where the ineptitude of the PV’s assessment process of rock climbing areas is exposed for what it is. A flawed and amateur attempt to quite literally white-wash climbers in the worst possible light whilst shirking any responsibility. Think the “bolt in art” fiasco was bad? This is better.
Continue reading The Sandinista Scandal – White Lies from PV
Secret PV Plan Revealed. FOI Doc Says No Climbing in SPAs Permanently
After a Freedom of Information (FOI) request we have received the internal Parks Victoria’s Engagement and Communications Plan for Rock climbing in Grampians dated February 2019 (before these bans were announced to the public). This is the first of many forthcoming FOI requests that various groups have requested.
Continue reading Secret PV Plan Revealed. FOI Doc Says No Climbing in SPAs Permanently
Right of Reply – Answers from Parliament
Several weeks ago (March 24 – which seems like an eternity in this story) climbers submitted two petitions to Grampians district local and member of Victorian Parliament Emma Kealy. The paper petition of 557 signatures (as required by Victorian Parliament rules), plus the 19,400 online signatures (now 24,000 signatures) as part of the change.org petition, had three key requests:
Continue reading Right of Reply – Answers from Parliament
Parks Vic Frame Climbers – Get Caught Out
On Thursday afternoon, Parks Victoria updated their website about Grampians Rockclimbing. Some of the additional information consisted of several misleading photos from the Buandik area showing safety bolts with one clearly labeled “Bolt in Rock Art”.
Continue reading Parks Vic Frame Climbers – Get Caught Out
Parks media release – march
No new information here, but it’s a snazzy (and official) document that portrays the same information that various individuals have received via emails.
Parks Vic Responds to Climbers Concerns About Enforcement
Following up on the Labour Day Long Weekend, we have received an email from Parks Victoria answering several questions that many climbers have been asking. We hope this email puts to rest many of the wilder conspiracy theories thrown about in the last week. It is important reading.
Continue reading Parks Vic Responds to Climbers Concerns About Enforcement
Save Grampians Climbing 