NSW GOVERNMENT STILL STALLING REOPENING MT WARNING

Mt Warning was closed over 6 years ago in March 2020 and remains closed as bureaucrats in NPWS continue on their "go slow" approach to seeing common sense. Economic damage due to the closure is running around $50M a year - that's now over $300M in economic damage thanks to our fat-bottomed bureaucracy and ministerial indifference.

I asked the Minister for an update back in June and finally got this typical soft lettuce reply from NPWS last week.

Keep climbing!

Good afternoon

I refer to your email to the Minister for Climate Change, Minister for Energy, Minister for the Environment and Minister for Heritage, the Hon Penny Sharpe MLC about the Wollumbin (Mount Warning) summit track in Wollumbin National Park. Your email was referred to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) for reply.

As you are likely aware, the closure of the Wollumbin summit and track has been extended until 30 June 2027 to enable the consideration of practically safe and culturally appropriate options for reopening. The Wollumbin summit is a declared Aboriginal Place, and its cultural significance is recognised. Under section 85 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, NPWS has a responsibility to care for, preserve and protect any Aboriginal object or Aboriginal place on land reserved under the Act.

We understand that there are members of the public who value the opportunity to climb to the summit. There is currently no safe access available to the Wollumbin summit. The previous chain and post infrastructure has been removed because it had reached end of life. Without installing new infrastructure, the summit track poses a significant safety risk to members of the public. The NSW Government is working with Aboriginal Traditional Owners to find a solution that respects cultural responsibilities and visitor safety.

NPWS continues to provide clear signage and education about the cultural significance of the site and risks to safety, to ensure visitors are informed about the closure of the summit track and to encourage ongoing compliance. NPWS will continue to take appropriate action in relation to any individuals who enter the part of the park that is closed to the public.

I understand that the temporary closure extension is a disappointment to some visitors. However, several practical challenges, such as ensuring safe access, must still be addressed. We are using this additional time to help us develop a clear plan for the future of this special place.

Further information about Wollumbin National Park is available at: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/parks-reserves-and-protected-areas/park-management/community-engagement/wollumbin-national-park.

Russell Madeley

Director North Coast Branch

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Old Memorial to James Cook at the summit, 1925

Comments

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...

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: no decision in 2025 -Merry Christmas from Minister Sharpe

NPWS have provided the following media statement about the "temporary" closure of the Mt Warning summit track: The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has extended the closure of the Wollumbin summit track to allow additional time for careful consideration of the site’s future. For more than a decade, access to the Wollumbin summit track has presented complex challenges. The NSW Government is committed to enhancing consultation processes for the future management of the track. NPWS acknowledges the uncertainty the process has caused the community and businesses. For Aboriginal people there is a deep cultural and spiritual significance of Wollumbin, which is a declared Aboriginal place. Ensuring that all stakeholders, particularly Aboriginal custodians, are meaningfully engaged is critical to any future decisions about the site. For community, council and business the future of this site is also important. NPWS will continue to maintain and develop visitation opport...

Right to Climb

Search This Blog