Climbing will continue under LNP Government: Glass House’s Andrew Powell
By Kirra Livingstone
THE STATE Government says it has no plans to close Mt Beerwah or any other Glass House mountains to climbers following reports it was considering offering ‘virtual climbing experiences’ at the expense of outdoor hikes.
The Government was forced to clarify its position following the release of emails through freedom of information requests from pro-climbing group Save Our Summits (SOS).
Emails between Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) staff showed options included offering virtual climbs using drone technology for Mt Beerwah and Tibrogargan.
The suggestions were made as part of a draft Visitor Management Implementation Plan.
SOS president, Marc Hendrickx, said it would be a loss for the community if the mountains were closed.
“I’d be devastated,” Mr Hendrickx, a geologist, said.
“One of my pastimes is to explore the country and part of that is climbing to the mountain tops where they’re available to enjoy those beautiful views.
“It’s really important to me and other people who get different things out of it, it’s not about conquering the mountains, it’s about conquering personal fears and struggles.”
Tourism and Environment Minister and Member for Glass House, Andrew Powell, said the briefing was three years old and made under the former Labor Government.
“Under my government, there will be no permanent closures of Mount Beerwah or any of the peaks in the Glass House Mountains indeed of any of our national parks,” he said.
“We are a government who want people to get out, responsibly enjoy our natural landscapes.
“There will be no permanent closures.”
DETSI also released a statement following the initial news reporting.
“Let us be categorical: there are no plans for Mount Beerwah to be permanently closed to the public,” a DETSI spokesperson said.
“Suggestions that Mount Beerwah could be closed for Indigenous cultural reasons are factually inaccurate, misleading, and disrespectful to the Jinibara and Kabi Kabi peoples.
“Short-term closures are implemented as required during wet weather or rockfall events, when requested by the emergency services, or to allow for repair works.”
Mr Hendrickx said he still wanted an official guarantee that there would be no closures.
“I would like to see that statement in the form of a clear guarantee in future management plans for the park,” he said.
