With half of the world famous Mt Arapiles climbing areas under threat of closure we need the climbing community to step up and press for change. Read our analysis of the bans here. We have listed below some of the best methods that people power can use to help save the most amazing climbing area on the planet. At minimum sign this joint letter to the government from all climbing organizations – do this now!
State MP Sponsored Petition to Parliament
Here is an important petition, and allows the Sponsor (Emma Kealy) to raise this in the Vic Parliament. Victorian Residents only though.
Contact Politicians
We need a political and legislative response to this issue to fully resolve it for future generations. Most climbers would agree that the current cultural heritage “system” is broken and needs amending. Many are questioning their own political beliefs – you are not alone. Write or speak to politicians that can make the changes we need. Threaten your vote, even if you don’t live anywhere near Arapiles. The Labor Party is in power and deserves to hear of our displeasure across Australia before the next election – be it federal or state. This issue extends well beyond a few bits of rock on a random cliff in the Wimmera – make them understand why this is political suicide for them.
Be sure to also email your own (Victorian) local MP as well as the key players below…
Steve Dimopoulos – State Labor Minister for Parks Victoria
steve.dimopoulos@parliament.vic.gov.au
Even better give his office a call on (03) 8624 3101
Jacinta Allan – State Labor Premier of Victoria
jacinta.allan@parliament.vic.gov.au
John Pesutto – Victorian Liberal Opposition Leader
john.pesutto@parliament.vic.gov.au
Dr. Anne Webster – Federal Nationals MP
Anne.Webster.MP@aph.gov.au
Jacinta Ermacora – State Labor Upper House Member
jacinta.ermacora@parliament.vic.gov.au
Gaelle Broad – State Nationals Upper House Member
gaelle.broad@parliament.vic.gov.au
Craig Niemann – Horsham Rural City Council CEO
fiona.kelly@hrcc.vic.gov.au
Allies in the political sphere
Below are several politicians that have actively supported our efforts to overturn climbing bans in the Grampians and Arapiles. Please send them a thank you email or just let them know about your concerns around Arapiles and public land access!
Emma Kealy – Victorian National Party
emma.kealy@parliament.vic.gov.au
Bev McArthur – Victorian Liberal Party
beverley.mcarthur@parliament.vic.gov.au
David Limbrick – Victorian Libertarian Party
david.limbrick@parliament.vic.gov.au
Submit a response to Park Victoria’s proposed Management Plan
This is of immediate importance. Head to PV’s Engage Victoria website and send them a written submission – the survey is a waste of time in our opinion as it does not cover climbing area closures. Focus on the key points: we do not agree with the size of the bans, we request our climbing culture be factored into management decisions and that proper consultation must be had with the climbing community.
Here are a couple of excellent example letters written by other climbers.
Sign the open letter and petition
Please read and sign the Open Letter Regarding Climbing at Arapiles/Dyurrite. It super quick and easy to do and has already signed by every major climbing organization in Australia. If you do one thing – do this.
Change.org Petition – Save Natimuk! Stop the rock climbing ban at the famous Mt Arapiles! – warning DO NOT donate money using this platform – the money does not go to climbing groups.
Print a poster and put it up
There are several posters that can be downloaded here – and also a great FAQ document that is perfect for putting in your local gym.
Donate to fund advocacy efforts
Help the climbing community organizations and individuals working on posters, pamphlets, stickers, films as well as lobbying, legal and research work being used to restore Arapiles rock climbing. Every dollar counts – please donate!
Climbing Victoria Advocacy Fund
Do you have an advocacy idea that needs funding? Contact Climbing Victoria to see if they can help.
Post about it on social media
Be sure to tag the Allan Labor Government, Parks Victoria and BGLC in anything you create. There are several well used Facebook groups around climbing access and Arapiles. Check out Climbing Access Discussion Victoria or ACAV discussion group. Local groups for Arapiles “residents” are also great to check out rivals Mount Arapiles Climbing/Bouldering NoticeBoard and Dyurrite/Mount Arapiles Noticeboard.
Join a climbing access organization
These organizations need financial and member support to lobby for climber’s rights.
Climbing Victoria (memberships now open)
Australian Climbing Association Victoria
Victorian environmental climbing organizations
Other state organizations
Australian Climbing Association NSW, Australian Climbing Association QLD, Climbers Club of Tasmania, Canberra Climbing Association, Climbers Association of Western Australia, Climbing Club of South Australia
Create allies outside the climbing community
Talk with friends and family about the subject. It’s amazing how many non-climbers have a preconceived view on the subject that lacks any foundation on facts. People living in cities often do not understand the restrictions being placed on rural communities through the implementation of recent cultural heritage law.
Get informed on the subject
This site is a good place to start – go and read through some of the over 100 articles we have published previously that give extensive background to the climbing bans in Victoria that have been happening since 2019. Warning – it’s messy. Our old article Is Arapiles Next? is not a bad place to start.
ACAV’s website also have extensive news items going back 5 years – they mostly discuss the related Grampians bans.
You will find numerous mainstream media articles with a quick Google search of Arapiles or Grampians climbing bans. ABC local news is often around when the big stories break and you can find TV, radio and written stories from them. The Australian newspaper has published many good articles over the years on the subject and deserves our support – their articles are paywalled.
BGLC have this slick multimedia website that is worth a watch to see an alternate perspective on the bans.
Go camping & climbing at Arapiles
It is really important that people don’t stay away from the area. We need our climbing community to stay strong and united and the best way is to camp at Arapiles amongst like-minded individuals and be out climbing. If we abandon the area in droves we are doing what the land managers want – our removal from the area.
Don’t forget to make up a sign for your car and campsite to show you support the saving of Arapiles climbing. Be loud and proud of your own community.
Protest climbing in closed areas
You may consider climbing in banned areas as a form of protest. We would encourage people to do this in a sensible and well thought out way. If doing so please be mindful of your impacts – refer to the helpful chart below supplied by Parks Victoria on what “harm” is to Aboriginal cultural heritage… that is how they will try and fine you if it comes to that. Be polite to any rangers and film the encounter if you feel comfortable doing so. A camera usually defuses a situation where rangers start asking questions of a questionable nature (as has happened in the Grampians). Don’t feel you have to say anything that could incriminate yourself or others – the rangers are not your friend but they still deserve respect. Climbing organizations such as ACAV may be able to assist you legally or financially if required. More info about your rights as a protestor in Victoria can be found here.
Save Grampians Climbing 