Chockstone Forum

      Sponsored By
      ROCK
   HARDWARE

Chockstone Photography

Australian Landscape Prints

Chockstone Forum - General Discussion

General Climbing Discussion

Topic Date User

New Grampians bans announced: Taipan, Bundaleer 21-Aug-2020 At 2:35:41 PM gordoste

Message

On 21-Aug-2020 Olbert wrote:
>On 20-Aug-2020 gordoste wrote:
>>On 19-Aug-2020 Olbert wrote:
>>>On 19-Aug-2020 ajfclark wrote:
>>>>> So far, we do not have proof that PV has actually fabricated evidence.
>>>>
>>>>Other than when they took photos of bolts installed yb PV and said
>it
>>>>was climbers?
>>
>>I was careful with my words. Fabrication of evidence would mean PV knew
>>that what they were saying was wrong before they said it. You are implying
>>this without proof.
>>
>
>Gordoste you totally miss the point - lets not bring facts to this!
>
>>>Other than when they blamed climbers for chalking up the unclimbed half
>>>of the Sandanista Wall?
>>
>>Fortunately this was not in the public forum unlike the bolt one.
>>
>>I share your view Olbert. The rank and file are mostly great people,
>however
>>management seem to have decided that locking people out of parks unnecessarily
>>is a good way to get attention, so that somebody will fix the regulatory
>>system (which is a legitimate problem). I cannot disagree more with this
>>strategy.
>
>Realistically, legislation might be forcing their hand. If they don't
>do "something" then they risk getting significant fines and reputation
>damage. Their legal advice, which we don't have access to, might be driving
>them towards the bans and not a more nuanced approach. The whole Grampians
>trail is essentially a red-herring - it doesn't look good - but legally,
>they have jumped through the correct hoops.
>
>That said, it doesn't explain the campaign of misinformation from the
>top. Admittedly, this campaign has been toned down if not completely paused.

It's well documented that many cultural artifacts are being put at risk of damage by walkers. Banning one user group doesn't exempt you from legal liability for damage by others. So I don't think this makes sense.

You are spot on about the trail, that has been done 100% by the book.

Climbers are only going to solve this by challenging the legality of bans that are far more extensive than necessary, and by partnering with TOs to balance access with cultural protection. The days of wandering up to a cliff with your drill are gone.