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Legitimising climbing in NSW National Parks?

kuu

6-Dec-2012
4:01:37 PM

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service has formulated a policy for "Strategic directions for horse riding in NSW national parks" View a copy here: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/protectedareas/120848HRStrat.pdf

This policy is the result of consultation with various stakeholders (and presumably lobby groups).

Perhaps climbers need to amplify their interests as stakeholders and lobby for the creation of a similar strategic policy position covering climbing in NSW national parks?

Presently there is no state-wide policy and decisions about allowing climbing in a given park seems to be on an ad hoc basis. This has the potential to leave decisions about the acceptability (or not) of climbing to a small number of individual staff employed within the park at the time the Plan of Management is prepared.

hotgemini

6-Dec-2012
4:25:22 PM

Kevin,

Have you seen this QPWS operational policy?

http://www.qorf.org.au/_dbase_upl/Rock_Climbing_Policy.pdf

-Adam

kuu

6-Dec-2012
4:52:51 PM

Thanks Adam, I hadn't seen that document. I've scaled back my involvement in climbing access issues. One of the early statements in the document (pasted below) is heartening although it is of course qualified in subsequent pages.

****************
Background
Rock climbing activities are recognised as a legitimate use of QPWS managed areas and the natural settings offered by parks are integral to the climbing experience. While climbing activities have some inherent risks, the challenge associated with undertaking these in the natural environment form an important part of the recreational opportunities provided in QPWS managed areas

****************
This contrasts with the general situation in NSW where climbing is not allowed unless permitted by the Plan of Management (for a specific park) or authorised in writing by the Director General. Requests for such authorisation are not usually successful.

IdratherbeclimbingM9

11-Dec-2012
3:20:36 PM

On 6/12/2012 kuu wrote:
>This contrasts with the general situation in NSW where climbing is not
>allowed unless permitted by the Plan of Management (for a specific park)
>or authorised in writing by the Director General. Requests for such authorisation
>are not usually successful.

That sums it up pretty well.
~> Good luck to any who wish to deal with 'parry' O'Farrel in changing legislation!

& from kuu's earlier post;
>Perhaps climbers need to amplify their interests as stakeholders and lobby for the creation of a similar strategic policy position covering climbing in NSW national parks?

I think it is worth a try. Who knows, what with the increased climbing population due to the advent of gyms etc in recent years, perhaps our numbers might actually be recognisable now, whereas the horsing fraternity have been around in numbers for much longer...

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