Welsford state. Big push to be Np. Eldorado in a NP. Whipstick push to be all NP. Beware the wolf in sheep's clothing. I can't see them banning highbankers altogether, to be clearer about what I was saying most prospectors would just see it sitting in the shed and use it anyway. Anything that gets banned just makes it more attractive.
They have so many rivers, reserves, historical areas and NP land locked up and most of the public access left gets hit hard I can only see it end in tears for them. PL applications would sky rocket because blokes, hard core blokes, would cobble together to get access. Perhaps this is the end game? I know I would do it if forced to as the last legal way to do it, and make sure I got as many organized events on it as humanly possible, New 49ers style. Alot of blokes drop a few Grand on the newest detector and accessories without blinking, and a working PL would only need that sort of financial backing from a few guys and they would be good to go. It annoys me it might go that way but its an option.
As for the bloke on the street well if he had the fever bad enough rules or not they will go on prospecting anyways. There's only so far you can shove a bloke before he shoves back. This state was built on gold, and I for one will rally against those that determine to oppose my rights to prospect with everything I have to give. It's not about defiance, it's about liberties.