Thankyou Andrew Powell MP - Beerwah safe (for now)

Thankyou Andrew Powell!

https://www.facebook.com/AndrewPowellMP/

Our information obtained through FOI has triggered one of the clearest statements about public access to the Glass House Summits from a QLD government in many years. It is clear from the documents released that the previous Labor government was well under way with plans to close Mt Beerwah and restrict access at other mountains.

On 4BC radio today Andrew Powell MP Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation and member for the Glass House made the following statement:

“My response is that there will be categorically no closure to Mount Beerwah on a permanent basis, nor, for that matter, any other of the Glasshouse Mountain peaks or for that matter, any national park.”

“My role, as set by the premier, is to ensure Queensland’s natural landscapes remain accessible for education and experience, so people can get out there and appreciate their conservation value.”

I thank the Minister for clarifying his and the current government's position on public access to the GHMs and other parks in QLD and look forward to working with him to get this sentiment into management plans for the park which will make it more difficult for future Ministers and future governments to change.

In correspondence to me Minister Powell states in relation to previous plans to close Mt Beerwah: "Any work that was previously underway has been ceased under my direction."

This is great news! But again we need to see this in management plans for the park and SOS will continue to pressure the current government on this issue.

Again I extend my thanks to Andrew Powell and extend an invitation for him to climb our wonderful summits with SOS in the future.

It's a pity NSW or Victoria does not have an Environment Minister with the same guts and determination as we approach the 5 year anniversary of the closure of the majestic peak of Mt Warning and further restrictions to climbing in Arapiles and the Grampians. SA could also learn a lesson and restore recreational access to Lake Eyre.

More media coverage:

Glass House and Maleany News: Mt Beerwah virtual climbs denied by department

Gary Hardgrave 4BC Controversy erupts over government’s plan for Mt Beerwah

ABC Environment minister shuts down talk of Mount Beerwah closure

Courier Mail Secret talks to close Mt Beerwah for Indigenous cultural reasons

DETSI https://www.detsi.qld.gov.au/our-department/news-media/mediareleases/mount-beerwah-update

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