Once in a while land managers attempt to decrease their exposure to public liability by putting up signs with statements like that. This is often done without any consultation with users, any though as to practicability, any attempt at enforcement and hence any actual results.

Climbers are meant to get a permit to climb if they are in a group of more than 5, I seem to remember. It is not just the commercial groups. I don’t know of anyone that has applied for the permit though.

This issue was discussed (to some extent) at the CAWA AGM.

The following web-site points to the “LEEUWIN – NATURALISTE NATIONAL PARK – Caving and Abseiling Permit System” <http://wasg.iinet.net.au/cps.html&gt;. It is a booked produced by CALM with revision date November 1999.

It talk mainly to caving but wilyabrup is mentioned as an abseiling site quoting… “Abseiling on the Wilyabrup sea cliffs is to be administered under this Permit System from December 1999. Fees and payments are the same as for other abseil sites.”

It classifies Wilyabrup Sea Cliffs as an abseiling site with “Max Number Participating (Includive of instructors and assistants)” as “20 (x 5)”. I take this to mean 20 in total with five per group… but this sure is unclear.

The fees under the absiling sites are “Sites can be booked up to 12 months in advance. Cancellations giving 14 days notice will receive a full refund, cancellations giving less than 14 days notice will incur a $5 minimum booking fee per site. “

It doesn’t spell out private v commercial v not-for-profit club uses… in my opinion the literally interpretation is that ALL users must comply with this permit system…

…but I can’t speak to the “intent” of CALM on this point.

Andrew.