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:

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...

BOMBSHELL DOCUMENT LEAK - WCG MEETING MINUTES 2011-2024

WCG MEETING MINUTES 2011-2024 We have been given access to minutes of meetings of the Wollumbin Consultative Group between 2011 and 2024. On the basis of the minutes it is clear the time for an independent public inquiry into management of Mt Warning National Park and the entire NSW Parks estate is long overdue. Documents are made available as a matter of deep public interest in current management practices in our National Parks. What is happening at Mt Warning will be occurring in other Parks across NSW as NPWS continue to push for and develop handback and lease agreements of our public parks. In our view these plans are divisive: they prevent public involvement in managing public land, they will add considerable cost to managing our parks, and they will result in further irrational bans and limits on public access. NPWS: "Custodians are looking at ways to progress handback at the June meeting. We envisage it will take 10-15 years for handback across the whole state."...

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...

Right to Climb

Search This Blog