A mountaineer has been threatened with a $346,000 fine under cultural heritage legislation after visiting one of Australia’s most iconic destinations.
The visitor was left stunned after receiving a letter following their visit to Grampians National Park in Victoria on October 18.
Victoria’s First Peoples-State Relations unit is reportedly monitoring climbers and other visitors after rock climbing was banned in the area in 2019.
The ban was introduced in an effort to protect indigenous heritage, including petroglyphs that are so worn they can only be viewed through special X-ray glasses.
A mountaineer’s home was visited twice by an investigator from the First Peoples Unit, who claimed a vehicle registered in their name was linked to cultural heritage infringements.
Researcher Adam Green, who works at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, left a letter at the climber’s property after two visits.
A mountain climber has been threatened with a $346,000 fine after his car was linked to alleged cultural heritage violations in the Grampians (photo: a climber on nearby Mount Arapiles)
The photo shows the letter from First Peoples – State Relations in Victoria
“I am requesting the name of the person responsible for the above vehicle on specific dates in connection with violations of the (Aboriginal Heritage Act),” it reads.
“The current maximum penalty is more than $346,000 for a person found guilty under section 27 of the Act.”
Mr Green warned that the vehicle was linked to multiple alleged offences, all of which could potentially be dealt with under the Crimes Act.
The climber has sought the help of the Australian Climbing Association Victoria in fighting the fine, but there is little ground for appeal if convicted. The Australian reported.
The sudden threat is the latest move by the Victorian government to restrict activities in the Grampians, home to important Indigenous heritage sites.
People caught disturbing heritage sites face huge fines under the state’s Aboriginal Heritage Act, even if the protected site, artwork or item is not visible.
Parks Victoria accused climbers of destroying native sites, but showed no evidence other than chalk and bolts left in the area.
Mountain climbers were banned from large parts of the Grampians National Park in 2019 (above).
The 2019 ban largely halted climbing tourism in the Grampians, but a few dedicated athletes continued to visit permitted areas.
Now the threat of a $346,000 fine could deter the last of them.
ACAV president Mike Tomkins believes the public will soon be completely banned from visiting the park.
“It’s pretty terrible that this is happening,” he said.
The closures at the Grampians also took place on nearby Mount Arapiles and were arrived at in consultation with several local indigenous groups.
The result has divided the climbing community, with some seeing the restrictions as necessary while others argue that climbers had little effect on the sites.
However, the majority agrees that culture must be protected.
It is not known whether officials have conducted aerial searches over the Grampians to monitor climbers and other visitors.
In his letter to the climber, threatening him with a $346,000 fine, Mr Green urged him to tell authorities who was driving his vehicle at the time of the alleged offences.
The recent closures coupled with the threat of hefty fines could deter the public from visiting the Grampians (above)
ACAV president Mike Tomkins believes the public will soon be completely banned from visiting the Grampians (above)
‘General investigations are being carried out to investigate possible breaches, and with this in mind I would like to take this opportunity to request a call or an email address to communicate with you to determine who may be responsible for a vehicle registered to you on specific dates. ‘ He wrote.
“This vehicle was identified in multiple alleged offenses and is now part of our investigation.”
Mr Green works for the DPC’s First Peoples-State Relations department, which is controlled by Victoria’s new Premier Jacinta Allan.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted First Peoples-State Relations for comment.