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Grampians Access 2019 7-Mar-2019 At 6:59:14 PM Rawpowa!

Message

On 7-Mar-2019 Dave J wrote:
>On 7-Mar-2019 Tori_GMAC wrote:

>
>"I have just had a chat with a ranger (a friend who will remain nameless)
>about the access issues that climbers are dealing with I specifically asked
>for clarification on the new SPA's and how they will affect climbers, and
>climbing tour operation...
>
>
>The ranger indicated to me that all areas listed in the most recent update
>are indeed off limits to all recreational climbers; and that even Licenced
>Tour Operators (such as myself) might be in a legal grey-area accessing
>Summerday Valley..."
>part 2 coming For further clarification on my access rights I am being
>referred to a higher up E x e c u t i v e within the organisation I hope
>to have a constructive conversation with this person tomorrow.
>
>I told the ranger that my livelihood - and the livelihood of many local
>operators and instructors - depends on our ability to work in Summerday
>Valley (and other areas). I said that I felt the bans were rushed policy
>and that they have been poorly communicated to the broader climbing community.
>I said that I would fight these bans, and that I'll have to be physically
>stopped by 'compliance officers' from operating in an area that I pay a
>significant sum of money to PV and other bodies (insurance) to access.
>OK OK my blood was up a little; (I didn't expect the February SPA update
>to escalate to official PV policy so quickly) but my ranger friend agreed
>with me, and said we (the climbing community) should fight the bans, lest
>climbing in the entire Grampians be prohibited.
>
>Immediately after this call I spoke with the local member (Emma Kealy),
>who has been doing some background work on the climbing access issue. She
>has had meetings with Aboriginal Victoria and local indigenous groups.
>The state of affairs isn't entirely as it would seem from various Parks
>Victoria media releases. Emma hopes to raise the issue of access on the
>floor of the Victorian Parliament tomorrow, to get a better idea of how
>this policy has been formed, and why it is being pushed so strongly (and
>in such an opaque manner) by Parks Victoria.
>
>I'll add more when I know more."

I'm not at all surprised that the situation around aboriginal heritage isn't what PV is presenting it as, in the ABC interview with Simon Talbot he seemed to be saying the local tribes were surprised but happy when he informed them inferring there hadn't been a lot of consultation. And I'm glad politicians are getting involved, it's the only way this will get resolved in a sensible manner. I'd love to see some FOIs into PVs reasoning behind this.

On 7-Mar-2019 f_abe wrote:
>“We don’t necessarily need more visitations, we need better quality experiences
>... It’s not a good experience if you’re looking for a beautiful nature
>escape and you can’t get accommodation or you have to have a five-hour
>trip back to Melbourne,’’ Mr Talbot said.
>
>And there I was thinking a day at the Gallery or Millenium and a night
>around a fire at Buandik was as good as it gets.
>Shows what an idiot I was and how I've wasted so much of my life.
>I have complete faith in the touchy feely do gooder approach.
>This madness will end, common sense will prevail, and all user groups
>will be able to experience the magic of Grampians in whatever manner they
>see fit while respecting all other user groups.

You're wrong mate, the fact that you didn't spend $1000s on accommodation and lattes makes your experience worthless.