We launched a Go Fund Me campaign earlier in the year to try and raise funds to launch a legal campaign to prevent the ban from happening. I posted the following update there today:
A short note to say thankyou to all who contributed. The funds raised did help in obtaining legal advice about the ban and this is also useful now to help inform other campaigns to save access to other natural spaces in the country (eg Grampians). Unfortunately, we were well below the amount required to launch a meaningful legal challenge. Given the likelihood of a win in a lower court it's also highly likely that Parks Australia would have taken it all the way to the High Court meaning costs would easily have escalated into the millions.
The ban on climbing will take place on Saturday. There are a few last-minute actions in play (see http://righttoclimb.blogspot.com/2019/10/call-for-minister-to-act-on-world.html) dealing with a lack of due diligence on the part of Parks Authorities in regard to the climb infrastructure and the 1987 World Heritage Agreement, in particular, the summit monument, but none are likely to prevent the ban taking place.
With the ban in place it is possible that those prevented from climbing may be able to raise a new complaint with the Human Rights Commission. My bid on this failed as the HRC viewed there was no chance of conciliation and I was still able to climb when I lodged my complaint. The ban will remove the later point.
Dealing with Bureaucrats over the last two years has provided enough material to fill a season of Utopia. I am looking at writing up the experience but there is no rush now. Supporters here will get a free copy.
Thanks again for your support and sorry it did not prevent the ban from going ahead. For information about climbing after the ban see this blog post... http://righttoclimb.blogspot.com/2019/06/climbing-ayers-rock-after-ban.html
Special thanks also to Julian Malnic for helping with scripts and contributing photos. I'm sure in a parallel universe things panned out a little differently.... from Quardant
Feds kick in to Restore Tiger
Uluru Station has received a federal grant to refurbish heritage monuments at Ayers Rock. The renovation work will be completed to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the handover of the land to Traditional Owners, overseen by the Fraser Government on July 20, 1979.
Work will include restoration of the bronze statue of the first Aboriginal Director of the Station, Anangu man Tiger Tjalkalyirri, and repair of the 1970 summit monument and other minor repair works.
Tjalkalyirri’s statue was erected in 1991 by station owners to commemorate his role in the handover of the former National Park and its conversion into a successful cattle station and tourist resort that currently employs 6000 mainly indigenous staff.
The resort currently attracts over a million visitors a year and has received numerous awards for conservation, innovation and culture. The via ferrata routes at Mt Olga have become a bucket-list item for international adventure travellers.
Tjalkalyirri was awarded an Order of Australia medal for his services to the local community and tourism in 1985, shortly before his death. He was an early guide to explorers and tourists at the rock.
Footage of Tiger and Mitjenkeri Mick climbing Ayers Rock in 1946 with Lou Borgelt and Cliff Thompson remains a favourite with visitors and plays on a continuous loop on screens in the foyer of the cultural centre. Tiger was also a great entertainer at the park, traditional performances at the Uluru Arena still include a homage to Tiger in the form of his celebrated “Putcha” dance.
Uluru Station advise there may be minor delays for climbers of the Rock as sections of the climbing chain will also be repaired.- Red Centre Times (10/4/2019)
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