Vol. No. Vol. 2718No. 2027
Wednesday, January 13, 13, 2024 2016 Wednesday, November
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Rallying for Natimuk N
BY LAUREN HENRY
atimuk residents have vowed to continue fighting Parks Victoria’s plan to ban a majority of rock climbing at Mount Arapiles.
The small community turned out in force on Wednesday evening to oppose the changes to the Dyurrite Cultural Landscape draft management plan. News of an updated plan was released by the State Government late last Monday, prior to the Melbourne Cup public holiday, when a media release announced a ‘$1.7-million investment’ for planned upgrades to facilities, tracks and signs at Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park, also called Dyurrite Cultural Landscape. The management plan seeks to protect areas of cultural significance to the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk Indigenous groups, represented by Barengi Gadjin Land Council. The area is home to one of Australia’s largest stone quarry complexes with rock art and scar trees dating back 3000 years. Natimuk resident
and long-time climber Pat Ford said he returned to live in the town because he loved the community and what climbing at Arapiles brought to the town. Mr Ford called for a more transparent process in consulting Natimuk residents and the climbing community. “I guess for me, it’s just sad there’s been a lack of consultation, with the climbers and with the local townspeople, as to what it’s actually going to mean to Natimuk,” he said. “We need to protect the cultural heritage, there’s no doubt about that. “But taking a broad brush approach to it, when we could be a little bit more granular and work together, so we can protect it and make sure that our town stays viable.” Mr Ford said he had accepted the initial closures in 2020, when the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs placed an interim protection declaration on rock art sites, and he respected the decisions to protect cultural heritage sites. “For me, I was saying to people ‘look they’ve done what they need to do, so we need to let the process play
to hugely impact his business, which means he’s going to employ less people,” he said. “It affects the footy team. We have climbers who are directly involved with the footy team, so it’s very broad, the effects that it’s going to have over the whole community.” Residents are also concerned about the effect the climbing bans would have on the town’s population, particularly enrolment numbers at Natimuk Primary School. “The young climbers with children that are now going to our local primary school – there’s only 20 at the primary school – that’s going to impact on our viability to have our own school,” Mr Ford said. Natimuk resident Lachlan Hick was emotional at the rally. “I’ve worked here for 25 years, and trying to build a life, and to have it smashed overnight is just totally heartbreaking,” he said. “That nobody ever asked us in town how we would be affected, how our health and how our town would be affected by this decision. It’s going
out. So having this now – all these extra areas banned – everyone’s a little shocked,” he said. Mr Ford said the closure of rock climbs not only affected the climbers but the township, and wider region. It is estimated about 25 to 30 per cent of Natimuk’s population are rock climbers. Mr Ford said out of the local rock climbers there were 14 people with PhD doctorates – four of which were medical. “These people actually work in Horsham, including a neurologist, an obstetrician and MDs. Those people are probably going to move on now,” he said. “That’s a huge impact, not just for Natimuk, but also for the whole Wimmera region, losing all those medics.” Mr Ford said the effect would also be felt on Natimuk businesses. He said the town’s only hotel, The Nati Pub, employed about 20 people. “Fifty per cent or more of The Nati Pub owner Bill Lovel’s business comes from people climbing and visiting at the mount, so that’s going
to destroy people’s lives and a community.” In a statement, Horsham Rural City Council acknowledged it did not have a decision-making role regarding the management plan, but would consider lodging a submission to Parks Victoria. The decision on whether to lodge a submission, and the nature of any submission, will be guided by the newly elected council. Member for Lowan Emma Kealy attended the rally in Natimuk last week, and has condemned the State Government for failing to consult the community or climbers, describing its four-year process to investigate cultural heritage at Arapiles as ‘secretive’. Ms Kealy said up to half of all climbing routes would be closed, devastating the local community. “Mt Arapiles is a world-renowned, iconic climbing destination that attracts tens of thousands of climbers to the region every year and underpins tourism and the economy in Natimuk and the wider area,” she said. Continued page 10
IN THIS ISSUE • New councillors elected • Fire prevention feature • Junior basketball tournament Phone: 03 5382 1351 Read it online: www.theweeklyadvertiser.com.au
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THIS SUNDAY
(enter from Natimuk Road, Park Drive, plaza side lane will be closed)
Sunday, November 17 10am to 1pm
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