If Ayers Rock Climbing Ban criteria were applied elsewhere...

If Ayers Rock Climbing Ban criteria were applied elsewhere..
The criteria for banning the Climb up Ayers Rock are outlined in the current management plan for the Park. Section 6.3.3(c) states:
The climb will be permanently closed when:

the Board, in consultation with the tourism industry, is satisfied that adequate new visitor experiences have been successfully established, or
the proportion of visitors climbing falls below 20 per cent, or
the cultural and natural experiences on offer are the critical factors when visitors make their decision to visit the park.

As we outline in "A Guide to Climbing Ayers Rock" none of these highly subjective criteria have actually been met. There is no new visitor experience that can match the Climb, the number of people climbing remains above 40% sometimes over 80%, and the Climb remains a major factor in visitors coming to Ayers Rock.

What if those Section 6.3.3(c) criteria were applied to other tourist sites, activities or organisations in Australia....

Harbour Bridge Climb, Sydney - Banned!

Plenty of additional tourist experiences available in Sydney
Well less than 20% of bridge visitors undertake the climb, most pass over in a car or train.
It's not the main reason people come to Sydney

Bridge Climb - Banned under section 6.3.3(c)

The Greens - Banned

Plenty of other political parties around
Less than 20% of public vote for them
Economy and employment critical factors in voting - both topics The Greens are unfamiliar with.

The Greens - Banned under section 6.3.3(c)

Motorcycle Riding

Plenty of other ways to get around
Less than 20% use or own a motorbike
Critical factors in getting from A to B are safety and comfort.

Motorbikes - Banned under section 6.3.3(c)

Golf

Loads of other activities to do
Less than 20% play
Open air, exercise and relaxation are critical factors in walking about a park.

Golf - Banned under section 6.3.3(c)

ABC

Many other media and entertainment options available
Less than 20% audience share
Not a critical factor in turning on the telly.

ABC - Banned under section 6.3.3(c)

Feel free to add your own irrational ban!

Comments

Mount Warning: Aboriginal claims about summit climb are contested

"How can the public experience the spiritual significance of this land if they do not climb the summit and witness creation." Ngaraakwal Elder Marlene Boyd RIP NSW NPWS have the following description about Aboriginal attitudes to people climbing to the summit of Mt Warning on their webpage about the walking track: Wollumbin, which means ‘cloud catcher’ to some Aboriginal People, is a traditional place of cultural law, initiation and spiritual education for the people of the Bundjalung Nation. Under Bundjalung law, only certain people can climb the summit. Out of respect for their law and culture, consider not climbing the summit. These claims, including the very name applied to the mountain, are contested and it seems there is another story that NSW NPWS have not properly acknowledged and have long kept from public attention. We came across this article from the Daily News February 24 2007 about Ngaraakwal Elder Marlene Boyd that makes for interesting reading. ...

17th death on the Rock

17th death on the Rock ABC report that a 76 year old Japanese man collapsed on the steep part of the climb and despite first aid, was not able to be revived. The elderly Japanese man likely died as a result of heart complications, probably brought on by existing (perhaps unknown) medical conditions and over exerting himself. He appears to have died revelling in the opportunity life provides. RIP Brother of the Rock. Our thoughts with his family and the first attenders who did their best to treat him. It's sad, but life goes on, and so should the climb. His death marks the 17th death ON the Rock since 26 May 1962 when 16 year old school boy Brian Strieff, on a school excursion with Carey Grammar, wondered off the main path in heavy fog on the way down and fell to his death. ABC's report indicate it is the 37th death, but these figures from Parks Australia have not been substantiated. It seems that many of the deaths Parks Australia claim to have occurred ON the Rock occurr...

Mt Warning closure - 4 years of lies and misinformation

Mt Warning closure - 4 years of lies and misinformation March 30 (Easter Saturday) marks the 4-year anniversary of the "temporary" closure of the Mt Warning summit track. Some thoughts and rambled musings below. I spoke with Ben Fordham about the anniversary on the Ben Fordham Breakfast show on 2GB. Ben's response a classic: "If you want to climb, just climb it!" Link to that interview HERE . 4 year anniversary of bureaucratic madness We know the exact date of the closure thanks to bushwalker: Tertia Starr Maynard, who posted a photo of a note left on her windscreen by NPWS rangers to the reopen Facebook page . It was dated and read “NPWS advises Wollumbin National Park is closing from today due to covid19. Gate is not locked but please close behind you as you exit. Thanks NPWS.” Photo by T Maynard - the last walkers out. In the 4 years since, after other parks were reopened, Mt Warning remained closed and the reason for the temporary closure morphed to in...

Right to Climb

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