A government department has clapped back at reports suggesting Mount Beerwah could be closed, saying the speculation is “inaccurate, misleading and disrespectful”.
It was revealed this week that Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) staff in 2022 had exchanged emails about drafting a plan to close the mountain.
The emails were included in documents that were released under a Freedom of Information request that is detailed on the website Right to Climb, edited by Marc Hendrickx.
Mr Hendrickx is president of the Save Our Summits group, which advocates for “equality for Australians to enjoy the wonder of its mountains and trails”.
In one email chain, which was among the 610 pages released and uploaded publicly on the Right to Climb website, a DETSI staffer refers to a draft, to “kick off developing a GHM (Glass House Mountains) precinct visitor management implementation plan – essentially aiming to close Mount Beerwah, likely close (Mount) Coochin and implement seasonal closures and other management actions across the other peaks”.
Another staffer responds, suggesting to “work towards cultural respect by sitting and admiring mountains, rather than ‘climb and conquer’”.
A third DETSI worker adds: “Should we focus on Beerwah to begin with (exclude Coochin Hills) as this would set the precedent for management (of) other peaks. Inappropriate use of the natural and cultural resources is likely highest at Beerwah.”
The sender of the original email then writes: “The intent of this initial brief is to flag that we want to commence detailed planning for the peaks (essentially approval to invest resources in this) and a heads up that it might mean some strong management actions.”
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On Tuesday DETSI issued a media release flatly denying any closure of the mountain was a possibility, with Environment Minister Andrew Powell also ruling it out.
“Let us be categorical: there are no plans for Mount Beerwah to be permanently closed to the public,” it 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.
“We welcome the visitors who attend Glass House Mountains National Park and request they adhere to park signage to ensure their visit is safe and enjoyable while looking after these unique landscapes.”
Mr Powell, who is also the Member for Glass House, also denied any plans to close access.
“I categorically rule it out – there will be no permanent closures of Mount Beerwah,” he said.
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The Right to Climb website says the released documents suggest there is a plan to close Mount Beerwah.
“It seems QNPS (Queensland National Parks) bureaucrats are well on the way to developing a closure plan for Mount Beerwah,” it says.
“It seems they will follow a staged approach similar to Ayers Rock (Uluru) and that other summits will also be impacted.
“I have requested a copy (of) the ‘plan’ from the department but these emails send chills through my heart in regard to what the department is considering in regard to GHM summit access.”
The Right to Climb website says it took more than 12 months to process the FOI request at a cost of more than $1300.
