FOI CORRESPONDENCE CONFIRMS GLASS HOUSE SUMMIT CLOSURES COMING

FOI CORRESPONDENCE CONFIRMS GLASS HOUSE SUMMIT CLOSURES

Documents released through a FOI request confirm QLD National Park bureaucracy have plans to limit future access to Glass House Mountains summits.

Concerns about future closures to Glass House Mountains summits are well warranted based on QNPS statements of support of local Aboriginal Groups who want to stop the public climbing to the summits of Mt Beerwah, Mt Tibrogargan, Mt Coolum and other GHM summits.

A recent letter we received from the new Environment Minister, and local state member Andrew Powell suggests there is no plan to ban the public from the GHM summits (14 January 2025):

However, among the correspondence released is a chain of emails from 4 July 2022 that discusses a Glass House Mountains Precinct Visitor Management Implementation Plan (see File E pages 92-95). For some reason, the plan was not included in the documents released and we have asked the FOI officer why this is the case and for a copy of this plan.

The email chain includes the following comments that suggest a closure of Mt Beerwah is near (spelling and grammar as written in the emails), our emphasis added (view the originals through the link above):

4 July 2022 7:52am from JZ

"Please see attached for the draft BN to RD (and maybe ED) to kick off developing a GHM precinct visitor management implementation plan - essentially aiming to close Mt Beerwah, likely close Coochin and implement seasonal closures and other management actions across other peaks."

5 July 2022, 1:28 om from CT

"I appreciate the start on this briefing as it is an essential step forward to respect the special values of these mountains."

"Even when mountain (Beerwah) is closed with locked gate, members of the public continually enter this area."

"Work towards cultural respect by sitting and admiring mountains rather than 'climb and conquer'"

Use of drones... "This technology can even be used for 'virtual climbs' for members of the public.

7 July 2022, 2:13pm from JP

"Should we focus on Beerwah to begin with (and exclude Coochin Hills) as this would set a precedent for management other peaks. Inappropriate use of the natural and cultural resources is likely highest at Beerwah." "Our approach should be staged eg consultation with first nations, review of other management actions Australia wide (Uluru, Mt Warning)"

8 July 2022, 7:06am from JZ

"The intent of this initial brief is to flag that we want to commence detailed planning for the peaks and a heads up that it might mean some strong management actions. A lot of the things touched on below are actions we will undertake as part of the plan development." "And to give context that it will be a staged approach (as absolutely that is what will happen)."

Based on this it seems QNPS bureaucrats are well on the way to developing a closure plan for Mt Beerwah. It seems they will follow a staged approach similar to Ayers Rock and that other summits will also be impacted. I have requested a copy the "plan" from the Department but these emails send chills through my heart in regard to what the Department is considering in regard to GHM summit access.

Email exchange in full:

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