President of ACAV arrested over stolen Parks Victoria cameras in the Grampians

Mike Tomkins, president of Australian Climbing Access Victoria (ACAV), was reportedly arrested and later released without charge this week in relation to a 2024 Facebook post about a trail camera in the Grampians (Gariwerd). The incident has reportedly reignited debate around land-management practices, alleged surveillance activity, and long-standing tensions between Parks Victoria (PV) and members of the climbing community.

The Arrest

According to reports, Tomkins attended the police station, fingerprinted, and interviewed before being released without charge. He maintains he was not in the Grampians at the time the camera is alleged to have gone missing.

Police have not released a public statement, and it is understood no formal charges have been laid.

Background to the Allegation

Reports that in mid-2024, photographs circulated on social media allegedly showing an individual handling a hidden trail camera. The identity of the person in these images has not been independently confirmed. Some climbers reportedly believe the person appears to be a Parks Victoria ranger, while others dispute this. PV has not made a public comment on the images.

The ranger allegedly connected to the incident is reportedly also involved in a separate 2024 interaction at Taipan Wall, which is currently before VCAT. A public account of that earlier event is available via Save Grampians Climbing.*

*Source: Save the Grampians Climbing

2024 Post on Australian Climbing Association Facebook Page

Context From Public Posts

A widely shared 2024 Facebook post summarised the discovery of a concealed, cellular-enabled camera at the Muline trailhead, located in a Cultural Values (CV) zone. According to the post, which remains unverified:

• The camera was allegedly positioned about five metres up a tree.
  
• Footage reportedly showed a ranger setting and monitoring the device, and later walking up the trail with a long-lens camera.
  
• A similar hidden camera at the nearby Tower trailhead was previously used to prosecute a climber for allegedly entering a CV zone.
  
• The Muline device reportedly captured identifiable images of people and wildlife.
  
• The device is said to have been active since 20 May 2024.
  

Commenters on the post reportedly expressed concern about the extent of surveillance, with one remarking it appeared to be “a lot of effort and expense to catch people minding their own business & enjoying the Australian bush.”

Footage from the Trail Camera. Source: ACAV Facebook Page

Image of the Camera and Location. Source: ACAV Facebook Page

Broader Surveillance Concerns Reported in News Coverage

It is reported that a 2024 news.com.au article noted Parks Victoria had deployed concealed cameras and visitor counters in parts of the Grampians since 2019, primarily to monitor access to areas closed under the Aboriginal Heritage Act. According to the article, many visitors were unaware the devices were in place, prompting questions about transparency and privacy.

The report framed the issue as part of a wider debate over how cultural-heritage protection is enforced on public land, though Parks Victoria did not confirm the specific operational details described.

Images of the Trail Camera in 2024 Source: ACAV Facebook

Recent Developments in Parks Victoria’s Position

Since the Muline incident, we are hearing reports that no further hidden cameras have been found in climbing or trailhead areas.

In a recent interview with Vertical Life Magazine, Parks Victoria CEO Lee Miezes made a strong statement against blanket bans on climbing and emphasised what was described as a more collaborative, proportionate approach to land management. It is not yet clear whether this signals any change in surveillance practices.

Community Reaction

Climbers and visitors have raised several recurring concerns:

• Transparency: many are reportedly calling for PV to clearly communicate when, where, and why surveillance equipment is used.
  
• Proportionality: some argue that hidden cameras may be excessive for monitoring CV-zone compliance.
  
• Privacy: concerns remain over people being filmed without their knowledge while on public land.
  
• Legal Process: Tomkins’ arrest and release without charge has reportedly raised questions about how authorities handled the situation.
  

Other community members emphasise that conclusions should be withheld until official statements are released and investigations, if any, are concluded.

Where Things Stand

At present:

• Tomkins has been released without charge.
  
• Police have not publicly commented.
  
• Parks Victoria has not addressed the camera allegations, but has recently emphasised a cooperative approach to climbing access.
  
• No new surveillance devices have reportedly been found since the Muline camera.
  
• The identity of the person in the 2024 trail-camera images remains unverified.
  
• Several elements of the story remain based on allegations and unverified reports, pending official clarification.
  

As more information emerges, the situation — and the broader conversation around land management, surveillance, and recreational access in the Grampians — is expected to continue evolving.