Member for Mallee Dr Anne Webster says new indications from Parks Victoria on re-opening parts of Mount Arapiles and the Grampians for rock-climbing are positive, but the closure and community outrage shows the need for national cultural heritage reform.

New Parks Victoria boss Lee Miezis has reportedly stepped back from closing popular Dyurrite climbing routes, which his predecessor had largely closed on cultural heritage grounds.

“I am thrilled for the Natimuk and wider Grampians community that common sense would appear to be prevailing, and I commend the new Chief Executive for his approach,” Dr Webster said.

“Let’s be very clear, though – we would not be here if the Natimuk and wider community had not protested, if The Nationals had not backed them up and had we not applied pressure leading up to the May election putting pressure on the Victorian Government.”

Dr Webster secured the signature of senior Coalition shadow ministers on the ‘Arapiles Declaration’ in November, which stated that as a first principle, public land should be retained for public access wherever possible.

Former shadow minister for Indigenous Australians and Declaration signatory Jacinta Nampijinpa Price attended Mount Arapiles at Dr Webster’s invitation in the final week of the May federal election campaign.  The Shadow Minister released Coalition policy at the foot of the mountain on reforming cultural heritage nationwide.

“Time and again we see Labor, particularly the Allan Victorian Labor Government, dictating from capital cities policy on what will happen in regional Australia, without a care about - or skerrick of comprehension of -  local views, the lived experience and the impact on regional economies their policies will have,” Dr Webster said.

“Labor’s concept of consultation has time and time again proven to be selective at best.”

“Until now, Labor’s scorched earth approach to regional Australia has been unabated, but credit to the new leadership at Parks Victoria who have listened to the community and are finding a workable solution.

“We can’t keep having these near misses in regional Australia, whether its Lake Tyrrell in the north of Mallee, rock climbing in the Grampians or many places beyond where an ad hoc approach to cultural heritage is at odds with community expectations.

“I will soon be releasing the results of Mallee’s Biggest Survey, over 5,500 respondents since May and it is very clear, Mallee residents want public access to parks to remain public.  The majority respect cultural heritage and expect there should be a way forward to preserve ancient tradition and sites and, indeed, inform the public of this important heritage in a way that does not build resentment, division and exclusion.”

Dr Webster said she is working with her Coalition colleagues in developing policy to make cultural heritage workable for all Australians.

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