Calls for Queensland’s Mount Ninderry to Have Rock Climbing Designated as a Recreational Activity

Sunshine Coast Council has opened community feedback on its draft landscape management plan for Mount Ninderry.

The plan was drafted in partnership with the local Kabi Kabi First Nations People and is currently open for public feedback until Monday 15th of July 2024.

The document outlines key development projects that will make more of the Mount Ninderry Environmental Reserve accessible to people of all abilities – in a way that conserves its ecological and cultural values.

While the draft was prepared in consultation with the local community, local rock climbers are disappointed to have been left out of the consultation process and are campaigning to have more input into future management plans.

Climber Matt Fingleton at Mount Ninderry / Image thanks to Matt Raimondo

What’s in the draft plan?

Sunshine Coast Council released the draft management plan for public feedback last month.

There’s a particular focus on opportunities to open up access to Mount Ninderry, as well as the need to honour the Kabi Kabi connection to the land.

Planned developments include new walking trails, a viewing platform with sweeping views towards the coastline, a visitor hub, and a Kabi Kabi and Landcare workshop.

Kabi Kabi man Kerry Jones said Mount Ninderry was very important to the Kabi Kabi people, ‘It’s a part of our storyline, our legend that’s connected to all these significant mountains and rivers around here. Kabi Kabi has been working with council and we have the opportunity to look at new trails and share the stories of the Kabi Kabi people’.

Ninderry Visitor Hub artist impression | Image thanks to Sunshine Coast Council

Local Climbers Respond to the Draft Plan

Rock climbing only received a brief mention in the council’s draft plan, despite climbers currently being one of the main recreational user groups in the reserve.

In response, the Australian Climbing Association Queensland (ACAQ) made a submission to council on behalf of its members, which was particularly critical of the lack of consultation with climbers.

ACAQ would like to see climbing designated as a recreational activity at Mount Ninderry in order to preserve access for climbing into the future. ACAQ is campaigning to encourage climbers to provide feedback to the council and is happy with the response so far.

Peter Martland, ACAQ President said, ‘It is clear from public comments so far that rock climbing at Ninderry has a high recreational value for locals, as well as visitors from across the state and beyond. Comments highlight the physical and mental health benefits and the joy of time spent in the natural environment with friends and family’.

ACAQ Committee Member Chantelle Trafford was among local climbers who met with council at a feedback session on July 7th.

She said, ‘Mount Ninderry is a much loved and cherished mountain in the South East Queensland climbing community. Its beauty is in the wildness and quiet. I have such a strong connection to Ninderry and many happy moments at the various crags’.

‘I am thus far pleased with council’s response to submissions made by the climbing community and am hopeful that we will see more collaboration between council, Kabi Kabi, and ACAQ at Mount Ninderry,’ she added.

Council feedback session at Mount Ninderry Reserve | Image thanks to Chantelle Trafford, ACAQ

How can I give my feedback?

There’s still time to have your say on the draft management plan. Council is inviting locals and visitors to share feedback on the draft Landscape Plan and tell your own story of visiting Mount Ninderry.

Submissions close Monday 15th of July 2024.

Feature image thanks to Sunshine Coast Council