Editing Uluru (section)

==Tourism==
[[File:Lasseter Highway1437.jpg|thumb|Driving on the A4 [[Lasseter Highway]] from Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park, April 2007]]
The development of tourism infrastructure adjacent to the base of Uluru that began in the 1950s soon produced adverse environmental impacts. It was decided in the early 1970s to remove all accommodation-related tourist facilities and re-establish them outside the park. In 1975, a reservation of {{cvt|104|km2}} of land beyond the park's northern boundary, {{cvt|15|km|0}} from Uluru, was approved for the development of a tourist facility and an associated [[Ayers Rock Airport|airport]], to be known as [[Yulara, Northern Territory|Yulara]].{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

In 1983, the Ayers Rock Campground opened, followed by the [[Four Seasons Hotel]] (later renamed Voyages Desert Gardens Hotel) and the [[Sheraton Hotels and Resorts|Sheraton Hotel]] (Voyages Sails in the Desert) in 1984. The town square, bank and primary school were also established. After the Commonwealth Government handed the national park back to its [[traditional owners]] in 1985, management of the park was transferred from the [[Northern Territory Government]] to the [[Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service]] the following year. In July 1992, Yulara Development Company was dissolved and the Ayers Rock Resort Company was established, after which all hotels came under the same management.<ref>{{cite web | title=History & Facts | website=Ayers Rock Resort | url=https://www.ayersrockresort.com.au/our-story/history-facts | access-date=3 February 2023}}</ref>

Since the park was listed as a [[World Heritage Site]], annual visitor numbers rose to over 400,000 visitors by 2000.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru/culture-history/heritage/index.html |title=World Heritage and International Significance |publisher=Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts |access-date=17 May 2010}}</ref> Increased tourism provides regional and national economic benefits. It also presents an ongoing challenge to balance conservation of cultural values and visitor needs.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

===Climbing===
[[File:uluruwarning.jpg|thumb|upright|Climbers and a warning sign in 2005]]
The local Aṉangu do not climb Uluru because of its great spiritual significance. They have in the past requested that visitors not climb the rock, partly due to the path crossing a sacred traditional [[Dreamtime]] track, and also due to a sense of responsibility for the safety of visitors. Until October 2019, the visitors' guide said "the climb is not prohibited, but we prefer that, as a guest on Aṉangu land, you will choose to respect our law and culture by not climbing".<ref name="welcomeland"/>

On 11 December 1983, the Prime Minister of Australia, [[Bob Hawke]], promised to hand back the land title to the Aṉangu traditional custodians and caretakers and agreed to the community's 10-point plan which included forbidding the climbing of Uluru. The government set access to climb Uluru and a 99-year lease, instead of the previously agreed upon 50-year lease, as conditions before the title was officially given back to the Aṉangu on 26 October 1985.<ref name="Toyne1984"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/blogs/on-this-day/2010/10/on-this-day-aboriginal-australians-get-uluru-back |title=On this day: Aboriginal Australians get Uluru back |work=Australian Geographic |first=Julian |last=Swallow |date=26 October 2010 |access-date=27 August 2017 |archive-date=8 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708024044/http://www.australiangeographic.com.au/blogs/on-this-day/2010/10/on-this-day-aboriginal-australians-get-uluru-back/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A chain handhold, added to the rock in 1964 and extended in 1976, made the hour-long climb easier,<ref name="newau20190713">{{cite news |url=https://www.news.com.au/travel/australian-holidays/northern-territory/uluru-october-closure-creates-new-headache/news-story/4252536e49767a73d982d63a19017623 |title=Uluru October closure creates new headache |work=[[News.com.au]] |first=Natalie |last=Wolfe |date=13 July 2019 |access-date=2 November 2019}}</ref> but it remained a steep, {{cvt|800|m|mi|1}} hike to the top, where it can be quite windy.<ref name="abc20190929">{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-30/uluru-tv-commercial-shoot-results-in-helicopter-crash/11553540 |title=Uluru helicopter crash survivors recall harrowing moments before impact |work=[[ABC Online]] |first=Emma |last=Haskin |date=29 September 2019 |access-date=1 November 2019}}</ref><ref name="abc20190924">{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-09-25/veteran-helicopter-pilot-not-sorry-to-see-uluru-climb-closed/11365140 |title=Helicopter pilot recalls danger of Uluru rescues, surprised climb not closed sooner |work=[[ABC Online]] |first=Emma |last=Haskin |date=24 September 2019 |access-date=1 November 2019}}</ref> It was recommended that individuals drink plenty of water while climbing, and that those who were [[Physical fitness|unfit]], or who suffered from [[vertigo]] or medical conditions restricting exercise, did not attempt it. Climbing Uluru was generally closed to the public when high winds were present at the top. As of July 2018, 37 deaths related to recreational climbing have been recorded.<ref name="welcomeland"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-07-04/japanese-tourist-dies-climbing-uluru/9937848 |title='Please don't climb Uluru': Japanese tourist dies at sacred site |work=[[ABC Online]] |date=4 July 2018 |access-date=28 July 2018}}</ref>

According to a 2010 publication, just over one-third of all visitors to the park climbed Uluru; a high percentage of these were children.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/management-plan-2010-2020-uluru-kata-tjuta-national-park |title=Uluṟu–Kata Tjuṯa National Park – Management Plan 2010–2020 |publisher=Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts |location=Canberra |page=90 |date=2010 |isbn=978-0-9807460-1-3}}</ref> About one-sixth of visitors made the climb between 2011 and 2015.<ref name="bbc20171101">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-41827203 |title=Australia to ban climbing on Uluru from 2019 |work=BBC News |date=1 November 2017 |access-date=2 November 2017}}</ref>

The traditional owners of Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park (Nguraritja) and the Federal Government's [[Director of National Parks]] share decision-making on the management of Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. Under their joint Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park Management Plan 2010–20, issued by the Director of National Parks under the ''[[Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999]]'', clause 6.3.3 provides that the Director and the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Board of Management should work to close the climb upon meeting any of three conditions: there were "adequate new visitor experiences", less than 20 per cent of visitors made the climb, or the "critical factors" in decisions to visit were "cultural and natural experiences".<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/management-plan-2010-2020-uluru-kata-tjuta-national-park |title=Uluṟu–Kata Tjuṯa National Park – Management Plan 2010–2020 |publisher=Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts |location=Canberra |page=102 |date=2010 |isbn=978-0-9807460-1-3}}</ref> Despite cogent evidence that the second condition was met by July 2013, the climb remained open.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/09/people-still-climbing-uluru-closure |title=People still climbing Uluru despite closure condition being met |work=The Guardian |first=Oliver |last=Laughland |date=8 July 2013 |access-date=13 November 2015}}</ref>

Several controversial incidents on top of Uluru in 2010, including a [[striptease]], golfing and nudity, led to renewed calls for banning the climb.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-06-27/indigenous-group-wants-uluru-stripper-deported/883014 |title=Indigenous group wants Uluru stripper deported |work=ABC News |date=27 June 2010 |access-date=14 November 2020}}</ref> On 1 November 2017, the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park board voted unanimously to prohibit climbing Uluru.<ref name="climbban">{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-01/uluru-climbs-banned-after-unanimous-board-decision/9103512 |title=Uluru climbs banned from October 2019 after unanimous board decision to 'close the playground' |work=ABC News |first1=Georgia |last1=Hitch |first2=Nick |last2=Hose |date=1 November 2017 |access-date=1 November 2017}}</ref> As a result, there was a surge in climbers and visitors after the ban was announced.<ref name="abc20190625">{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-25/uluru-climb-closure-prompts-local-tourism-fears/11242554 |title=Uluru visitor rush ahead of climbing ban prompts fears for local tourism |work=[[ABC Online]] |first=Emilia |last=Terzon |date=25 June 2019 |access-date=21 October 2019}}</ref><ref name="welcome20181017">{{cite news |url=https://www.welcometocountry.org/numbers-of-tourists-climbing-uluru-skyrockets/ |title=They just don't get it: number of tourists climbing Uluru skyrockets |work=Welcome to Country |date=17 October 2018 |access-date=21 October 2019 |archive-date=25 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025235657/https://www.welcometocountry.org/numbers-of-tourists-climbing-uluru-skyrockets/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The ban took effect on 26 October 2019, and the guide chains that aided climbers were removed.<ref>[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-11-13/uluru-chains-removed-after-climb-closed/11700178 Uluru chains removed, but site may take 'thousands of years' to return to natural state] ''ABC News'', 13 November 2019. Tretrieced 13 November 2019.</ref>

A November 2017 ''[[NT News]]'' poll found that 63% of respondents did not support the ban.<ref>[https://www.ntnews.com.au/lifestyle/uluru-ban-rocks-the-territory/news-story/b9958a1c2296e2ec56a3f19db8af62c2 Uluru climb banned by traditional owners] NT News. Retrieved 11 March 2023</ref>  A 2019 [[Essential Media Communications|Essential]] poll found that 44% supported the ban, while 30% opposed it.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://essentialvision.com.au/support-closing-uluru-climbing | title=Support for closing Uluru to climbing | date=23 July 2019 }}</ref>

===Photography===
[[File:Charles and Di, March 83. Uluru visit.JPG|thumb|[[Charles III|Then-Prince Charles]] and [[Diana, Princess of Wales|Princess Diana]] returning from photo session on Uluru, March 1983]]
The Aṉangu request that visitors do not photograph certain sections of Uluru, for reasons related to traditional ''[[Tjukurpa]]'' (Dreaming) beliefs. These areas are the sites of gender-linked [[Aboriginal Australian ceremony|rituals or ceremonies]] and are forbidden ground for Aṉangu of the opposite sex to those participating in the rituals in question. The photographic restriction is intended to prevent Aṉangu from inadvertently violating this [[taboo]] by encountering photographs of the forbidden sites in the outside world.<ref name="tjukurpa">{{cite web |url=http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru/culture-history/culture/tjukurpa.html |title=Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park – Tjukurpa |work=Australian Department of the Environment and Water Resources |access-date=3 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307175107/http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/uluru/tjukurpa/ |archive-date=7 March 2007}}</ref>

In September 2020, Parks Australia alerted Google Australia to the user-generated images from the Uluru summit that have been posted on the [[Google Maps]] platform and requested that the content be removed in accordance with the wishes of Aṉangu, Uluru's traditional owners, and the national park's Film and Photography Guidelines. Google agreed to the request.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/australia-google-maps-uluru-pictures-scli-intl/index.html|title=Australia asks Google to remove images from top of sacred site Uluru|date=24 September 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Google removes of Uluru climb after it was banned last year|url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/uluru-climb-parks-australia-asks-google-maps-to-remove-images-of-summit-after-ban/cb4779e6-59a8-47d8-aa89-83d526ef5d68|access-date=2021-01-06|website=www.9news.com.au|date=23 September 2020 }}</ref>

=== Waterfalls ===
During heavy rain, which is rare in the region, ephemeral waterfalls cascade down the sides of Uluru.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/ausandpacific/uluru-waterfalls-storms-safety-longitude-131-ayers-rock-best-time-go-a7739886.html|title=Uluru's waterfalls: The side only 1% of visitors see|last=Jackson|first=Lisa|work=[[The Independent]]|date=19 May 2017|access-date=7 January 2021}}</ref> Large rainfall events occurred in 2016,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/gallery/2016/jan/15/ulurus-magnificent-waterfalls-landmark-transformed-by-rain-in-pictures|title=Uluru's magnificent waterfalls: landmark transformed by rain – in pictures|last=Weeks|first=Jonny|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=15 January 2016|access-date=7 January 2021}}</ref> and the summer of 2020–21.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Waterfalls at Uluru during 'magical' weather event|url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/waterfalls-pour-down-the-rock-face-of-uluru-during-magical-weather-event/55c54176-5409-49e1-b181-51525c5995d7|access-date=6 January 2021|website=[[Nine.com.au|www.9news.com.au]]|date=21 October 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=22 October 2020|title=Tourists spot rare phenomenon of Uluru waterfalls|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/uluru-waterfalls-ayers-rock-australia-tourists-b1222064.html|access-date=6 January 2021|work=[[The Independent]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=James Gabriel|title=Visitors delight in spotting the rare phenomenon of Uluru Falls|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/uluru-falls-australia-rain|date=28 October 2020|access-date=24 March 2021|website=[[Lonely Planet]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-24/uluru-rain-creates-amazing-photos-weather/100026672|title=Waterfalls cascade down Uluru as severe weather brings heavy rain to NT|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|date=24 March 2021|access-date=24 March 2021}}</ref>