A new management plan for the Greater Gariwerd will set the framework for how the ancient, complex and unique landscape can be celebrated, respected, preserved and protected for now and future generations.
The final Greater Gariwerd Landscape Management Plan was released today. It outlines a 15-year journey to better recognise and care for the remarkable cultural landscape that flows through the national park and surrounding lands.
The plan was developed in partnership with Traditional Owners – the Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, and Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, who invite the wider community to learn about the cultural landscape.
It aims to conserve and enhance the precious natural and cultural values in the Gariwerd landscape, a living cultural landscape that Traditional Owners have evolved with for tens of thousands of years.
The Wonderland Range is part of the unique landscape of the Gariwerd. Credit: Parks Victoria
The Greater Gariwerd includes the highest concentration of known Aboriginal rock art in Victoria as well as nearly a third of Victoria's plant species, providing critical habitat for threatened animals.
With more than one million visitors to the Grampians each year, the plan seeks to promote healing and restoration of Country, promote sustainable visitation and recreation and balance the many different views about use and protection of the landscape.
Developed through two years of public consultation and review, including more than 2500 public submissions, the plan underpins the management of this much-loved landscape to ensure the parks and reserves are protected for current and future generations.
The yellow footed antechinus is one of many native animals calling the Gariwerd home. Credit: Parks Victoria
The Victorian Government's 2020 Economic Stimulus Package included $18.5 million for initiatives in the Gariwerd landscape which are already underway, including:
- Refreshing Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre
- Improvements at Mackenzie Falls to the visitor experience, safety and car parking
- Providing Trailheads in key towns for the Grampians Peaks Trail which continues to disperse visitors around the park
Funding has also been allocated for the first year of the plan's implementation including support for the ongoing governance partnership model with Traditional Owners, restoring and protecting culturally significant places like rock shelters and rock art and creating a new, free rock climbing permit system in the next 12 months.
