A man who refused to comply with the ban on climbing the summit of Mount Warning has become the first individual to be fined.
Marc Hendrickx is a spokesperson for the Right to Climb movement, which has been criticizing the controversial decision to close the trail.
The town of Wollumbin has been the focus of debate regarding the access to natural landmarks.
Due to concerns that it could become the next Uluru, a mysterious group of people proposed that only a select group of local Indigenous individuals be allowed to access it permanently.
The issue has been brought to a head by a change of government.
Although the Labor Party has not yet made a final decision regarding the trail’s future, the threat of fines has been a recurring theme. During an Australia Day event last year, protesters climbed the mountain and posed for photos.
In April, a ranger from the NSW Parks and Wildlife Service stopped Mr. Hendrickx and his group as they were climbing the mountain.
He was then fined $300. The fine was issued just a day before a rally was to be held at the mountain’s base, where stakeholders from the Right to Climb movement were expected to call for the trail to be opened to the public.
The rally was held to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the national park designation of Wollumbin Mount Warning.
It was billed as a celebration of the natural beauty of the area, with speeches being delivered by local politicians.
One of the speakers at the event was John Ruddick, an Upper House member from NSW. This year, he submitted a petition to the parliament calling for the trail to be reopened.
According to a report by The Courier-Mail, Mr. Hendrickx was informed that he had been fined for entering a national park that was closed to the public.
This offence carries a maximum fine of up to $3000. He was surprised to learn that the fine had been delivered so close to the rally, where he was scheduled to deliver a speech.
Three months earlier, he and his companions were stopped by a ranger who told them to leave the area.
He said that he believed the fine was issued to intimidate the public and prevent people from climbing the mountain. Mr. Hendrickx was the only one of the group to speak to the ranger, and he has since become a well-known figure in the debate.
He said he would seek further clarification from the NPWS. He also remembered an offer made by a local radio host, who said he would personally pay the fine for anyone who defied the track closure.
The Wollumbin Trail, which was once regarded as one of the most popular mountain climbing areas in the country, was closed in 2000 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
During that time, over 100,000 climbers had visited the area annually.
The temporary closure of the trail was extended several times, with various official explanations claiming that it was no longer safe.
The rally, which will be held on Saturday, will feature speeches by local Indigenous individuals in support of the mountain’s open access.