A proposed amendment to the management plan for Mount Arapiles Dyurrite is set to abandon the idea of blanket climbing bans, instead reopening the vast majority of routes while rerouting climbs away from areas of cultural significance, according to Climbing Victoria, the peak body for the sport in the state.

The new draft document, understood to have been prepared by Parks Victoria, had not yet been released publicly at the time of writing but could be available for community comment as early as this week. It follows more than a year of tension between the climbing community and land managers over how best to protect the culturally significant landscape at the Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park, located near Horsham in Victoria's Wimmera region.

What the Proposed Amendment Would Mean for Climbers

Climbing Victoria says the draft amendment would represent a significant shift from a previous proposal that threatened to close more than half of the park's rock climbing areas. Under the new approach, climbs would remain open where they do not intersect with culturally sensitive locations. Where such intersections exist, "practical methods" of mitigation — including rerouting — would be applied rather than outright closure.

The peak body says only a small percentage of the park's 3,300 climbing routes are expected to be affected by any closures at all. Notably, several closures flagged in last year's draft — including at Mitre Rock — are expected to be ruled out under the revised proposal.

The amendment is also understood not to introduce any new environmental restrictions beyond those already in place, such as seasonal protections during falcon nesting periods.

Climbing Victoria chair Mike Rockell welcomed the direction of the changes, saying the climbing community was "very heartened" by what had been proposed. "Overall, we see it as a new and much better way of accommodating climbing while still ensuring the protection of cultural heritage," he said.

A Long-Running Dispute at One of Australia's Premier Climbing Destinations

Mount Arapiles Dyurrite is considered one of Australia's most celebrated rock climbing destinations, drawing visitors from across the country and internationally. The site's management plan dates back to 1991, and the area has become an increasingly fraught battleground between recreational users and those seeking to protect its deep cultural heritage.

The landscape holds profound significance for the Wotjobaluk Traditional Owners, whose connection to the area stretches back tens of thousands of years. It contains ancient rock art, scar trees, stone quarries, and numerous artefacts. The Barengi Gadjin Land Council, which represents the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia, and Jupagulk peoples, declined to comment on the proposed amendment.

In 2024, Parks Victoria released a draft amendment that proposed closing more than half the park's climbing areas to safeguard Indigenous cultural sites. The announcement drew a fierce response from parts of the climbing community, with some publicly urging others to disregard Parks Victoria's requests to avoid sensitive routes.

How the New Draft Was Developed

The revised proposal is understood to have emerged from recent meetings of the Dyurrite Community Working Group, which drew on recommendations from a sub-working group of experts and incorporated formal advice from Wotjobaluk Traditional Owners. Parks Victoria is said to be in the final stages of preparing the amendment ahead of its release.

Once the draft is published, a four-week public engagement period is expected to follow, giving climbers, community members, and other stakeholders the opportunity to provide feedback.

Climbing Victoria described the anticipated outcome as one that would "result in vastly greater access to climbing and other activities" compared with what was proposed last year — while still acknowledging the importance of protecting the cultural values that make the site significant far beyond the climbing world.

Parks Victoria had been contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.