Community views on the future of the Mount Arapiles–Tooan State Park will be fully considered over the coming months as the management plan for the park is finalised.

Parks Victoria has prepared a community engagement summary report, following four months of consultation on the draft amendment to the Mount Arapiles–Tooan State Park (Dyurrite Cultural Landscape) Management Plan.

The report, independently reviewed by Capire Consulting Group, reflects feedback from more than 1,500 people, community and user groups. It highlights how much people care about the tangible and intangible values of Dyurrite (Mount Arapiles) and the future of the area.

Key themes include the importance of protecting cultural heritage, the personal and community value of recreational activities like rock climbing, walking and camping, and ideas to improve access and visitor information.

The feedback will help Parks Victoria get the balance right, protecting the cultural and environmental significance of Dyurrite (Mount Arapiles) while providing safe, sustainable access for visitors to enjoy the outdoors.

The full community engagement summary is available at: engage.vic.gov.au/dyurrite-project

Taking onboard this community feedback, Parks Victoria will work closely with Traditional Owner partners, to refine the management plan, engaging with climbing and other user groups, councils, business owners and stakeholders.

As part of this process, Barengi Gadjin Land Council will undertake additional cultural heritage assessments to explore opportunities for increasing access to climbing areas, particularly for children and people with disabilities. These assessments form part of its ongoing work in providing cultural heritage management advice to Parks Victoria.

The updated management plan is expected to be released in late 2025.

While the management plan is being finalised, Parks Victoria will immediately strengthen local management at Dyurrite (Mount Arapiles) by employing two additional rangers to be based fulltime from a reopened Natimuk office. These Parks Victoria rangers will work as part of a joint partnership with rangers from the Barengi Gadjin Land Council. This will provide a greater on-ground presence to improve visitor facilities and education programs to support park users understand and protect the important cultural and natural values.