Climber ‘threatened’ with $346k fine after visit to popular Aussie tourist hotspot
The rock climber had allegedly climbed on a protected site in one of Australia's national parks.
Victorian public servants have been accused of following "draconian" laws after allegedly threatening a rock climber with a fine surpassing $346,000.
The Grampians National Park in Victoria has banned certain areas from rock climbers since 2019 under Aboriginal cultural heritage laws — but some have been allegedly ignoring the restrictions, driving enforcers to take up "aggressive" tactics.
One climber has come forward saying an official visited their address twice after their vehicle had been identified in multiple alleged offences, The Australian reported. They were then reportedly sent a letter "threatening" them with a hefty fine.
Part of Grampians Park closed to climbers since 2019
The Aboriginal Heritage Act in Victoria is enforced by public servants who are Authorised Officers (AO) and Aboriginal Heritage Officers (AHO) within the First Peoples-State Relations unit — part of the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet. They have the power to enter private property, search properties, and seize objects or human remains — a "rare" power to be armed with.
Grampians National Park is part of the Gariwerd Aboriginal cultural landscape and according to Parks Victoria, the region is home to the largest number of significant and ancient Aboriginal rock art paintings and shelters in southern Australia.
"Extensive assessments" were carried out in partnership with traditional owners and climbing representatives to decide which areas within the Grampians (Gariwerd) would be appropriate for rock climbing. While around 80 per cent of the national park has been closed off to climbers, there are still more than 100 designated rock climbing areas, including 13 bouldering areas.
Climber slapped with 'threat' of fine
The Australian reported that Victoria’s First Peoples-State Relations unit have used vehicle registrations and other tactics to see if certain people visiting the Grampians National Park should be prosecuted under cultural heritage laws.
Australian Climbing Association Victorian (ACAV) president Mike Tomkins told Neil Mitchell on radio 3AW he believes park rangers take down the rego numbers of cars parked on public roads near the national park, which means anyone could be confronted by officials at their home address.
A climber currently being investigated has come forward seeking help from the ACAV after reportedly receiving a letter from Investigator Adam Green claiming that on October 18 their vehicle had been identified in relation to breaches of the Act.
"The current maximum penalty exceeds $346,000 for an individual found guilty under section 27 of the Act," the letter read.
Reactions have been scathing from rock climbing community
Mr Tomkins said the move by Mr Green was one meant to cause fear for the climber who may have done nothing wrong.
"I think it’s just a fishing expedition really. It’s attempting to get someone to confess to doing something that they may or may not be doing," he said. "This is the first time we’ve seen a letter follow-up in this very aggressive way".
The Save Grampians Climbing page shared the same sentiment and have said that though their community wish to respect the cultural values associated with the sites, shutting off access to cliff lines like this is a "blunt and lazy way" to protect sites with cultural values.
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