Gloucester Tree closure continues, growing concern for Pemberton Tourism operators

Tourism operators in Pemberton are frustrated by the lack of a firm timeline on the reopening of the Gloucester Tree to climbers and have warned the region would not be as attractive to visitors without its “major icon”. The top section of the 53m karri tree was shut last year while metal pegs that allowed it to be scaled by thrill-seekers were replaced, but the entire tree has been closed to climbers since November, with the Parks and Wildlife Service saying engineering advice called for significant remediation work on the wooden structure atop the tree. The service said in November the entire tree will be closed for at least 12 months but has not confirmed a time frame for climbing to resume. Graeme Dearle, the president of the Pemberton Visitor Centre and the operator of Pemberton Discovery Tours, said his initial conversations with the Government had been positive but not knowing for sure when the tree would reopen was worrying. “We’re transitioning from a timber town into tourism. We need some support from the Government,” he said. “We need to start talking in regards to what the long-term plans are. “It’s not until you lose something that you realise how important it is. “At the moment it’s OK, we’re in the height of the school holidays, numbers are coming through, but as we come to the end of that, I think that’s when we’ll start noticing the impact. “Even when the tree is back open again, which we believe is in another 12 months, it’ll still take another six to 12 months before people realise that we are back open again.” Manager of the Pemberton Tramway Company, Ben Gibbelini, said he was disappointed with the current level of information coming from the groups responsible for managing the tree. “They need to communicate to the community where they’re up to and have some action plans with time frames on them,” he said. “I’m not even sure if it is going to reopen. If it’s not going to reopen, what are they doing to make a similar attraction? “It draws a lot of people to Pemberton. When they find out it’s closed, they’re really disappointed. “It’s definitely affecting numbers. People would come to town just to climb the tree and then there’s a spin-off effect from that.” Shire of Manjimup president Donelle Buegge said tourism was a critical industry for the region, but visitor safety at the tree was the priority. “They are hoping it will open again, it’s not going to be closed forever,” she said. “That’s a long way to fall. We need to make sure it’s structurally 100 per cent and that’s what they’re trying to do.” A Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions spokesperson said it was communicating with tourism operators and a timeline would be confirmed “in due course”. “In the meantime, we have partnered with Aerial Adventures on a new tourism offering in Gloucester National Park, which opened on December 26, 2023. This exciting new ropes course offers a multi-level treetop experience, including a 100m flying fox,” the spokesperson said. “While we understand the closure of these trees is frustrating for the community and key stakeholders, DBCA is committed to maintaining these iconic regional tourism assets.” The Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree, located in the Warren National Park, is also closed to climbers for remediation work.