PHOTO: Mount Warning. COURIER MAIL
Mount Warning Closure Sparks Continued Debate Over Cultural Heritage and Public Access
Mount Warning, also known as Wollumbin, one of Australia’s most scenic and culturally significant mountains, will remain closed to the public until at least December 31, 2025. Once a popular destination attracting over 120,000 visitors annually, the hiking trail to the summit was closed in 2020 to protect the mountain’s Indigenous heritage, sparking widespread debate.
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) announced the extended closure on Thursday, citing the need for additional time to determine the site’s future. The NPWS emphasized its commitment to meaningful engagement with Aboriginal custodians and other stakeholders. “For Aboriginal people, Wollumbin holds deep cultural and spiritual significance, and ensuring all voices are heard is critical to future decisions about the site,” the statement read.
Mount Warning (pictured) will remain closed to hikers and tourists until at least December 31, 2025
Mount Warning is the highest peak at Australia’s most easterly point and is the first part of the nation each day to get sunlight.
Controversy and Community Backlash
The closure has divided public opinion. Advocacy groups, including the Right to Climb movement, argue that the prolonged ban undermines public access to national parks and negatively impacts the local economy. Marc Hendrickx, a prominent activist, expressed frustration with the ongoing restrictions. “The track will have been closed for five years by 2025. This decision continues to harm local businesses and denies Australians access to a site of national importance,” he said.
Hendrickx and other protesters claim the ban is overly restrictive, particularly as it excludes many, including some Indigenous women, from accessing the summit. He criticized the decision as catering to a narrow set of interests while ignoring broader community needs.
The backlash over the ban began after the Wollumbin Consultative Group petitioned the former state government to ban non-Aboriginal Australians from visiting the area (pictured visitors at Mount Warning)
Cultural Significance and Indigenous Perspectives
The Wollumbin Consultative Group initially petitioned the NSW government to close the summit trail, highlighting the site’s sacredness to Bundjalung men. For many Aboriginal custodians, the summit is a place of profound cultural importance that must be protected from external disruptions. The NPWS has proposed handing over the site’s management to Indigenous custodians, further cementing its role as a protected cultural heritage site.
However, the decision has also faced opposition from some local Indigenous elders, who argue that the restrictions diminish the ancestral women’s lore and exclude other cultural practices. This internal division highlights the complexity of balancing cultural preservation with public access.
Calls for Reopening
Political and public efforts to reopen Mount Warning have gained momentum. NSW Upper House MP John Ruddick has been vocal in his opposition, launching a petition in February to reverse the ban. “Access to these natural places is part of what defines us as Australians,” Ruddick said.
Advocates argue that reopening the summit with managed access would provide a compromise, allowing for public enjoyment while respecting cultural sensitivities.
The Economic and Social Impact
Local businesses in the Northern Rivers region have felt the economic strain of the closure. The absence of thousands of annual visitors has affected tourism-dependent industries, leading to calls for solutions that balance cultural heritage and community needs. The NPWS stated it would continue to explore ways to promote regional visitation and support local economies during the extended closure.
The Future of Wollumbin
As the closure continues, the debate over Mount Warning reflects broader questions about how Australia navigates the intersections of cultural heritage, environmental conservation, and public access. With further consultations planned, the future of Wollumbin will remain a critical test of how these values are reconciled.
SOURCE: THE DAILY MAIL