General News
24 October, 2025
Arapiles climbing bans: No change
HORSHAM Rural City Council acting mayor, Brian Klowss, has clarified recent media reports about the status of rock climbing in the Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park.
Cr Klowss explained how the Dyurrite Community Working Group – which he is part of – has been ongoing since February, and he was optimistic about the eventual outcome they will reach in collaboration.
There was some relief from rock climbers after comments from new Parks Victoria chief executive, Lee Miezis to the climbing magazine, Vertical Life, gave the impression the bans announced last year were potentially going to be lifted.
However, when contacted by The Wimmera Mail Times, a Victorian Government spokesperson made it clear, “There have been no changes to current climbing access at Mt Arapiles”.
The spokesperson said the working group discussing the details of access has been “made up of representatives from Barengi Gadjin Land Council, Climbing Victoria, Arapiles District Community Group, Horsham Rural City Council, licenced tour operators, Parks Victoria and Department of Premier and Cabinet – First Peoples State Relations.”
“The Community Working Group will look at ways to celebrate the cultural and environmental heritage of the park to support economic and social benefits for the local community and region,” the spokesperson said.
Mr Klowss said while the voluntary closures were still in place, the details of what was announced on Cup Day last year “were very ordinary” but have been “basically pushed aside”, and the working group made a new start.
“We're working towards completely redoing it, and at this stage, there's no timeline around when we're going to have it out,” he said.
Mr Klowss said he felt good about where the discussions were heading, but had no expectation for a resolution before the end of the year.
“I think we're starting to make really positive moves,” he said.
“We're all getting comfortable with each other now within the working group, and I think it will actually turn out to be a pretty good thing for the whole area, if we can pull it off by just talking and working through each individual issue.
“I think the communities, in the end, when all this is said and done, will be relatively happy with it.“
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