6.8 Other activities
Prospecting
Parks Victoria seeks to manage prospecting in cooperation with prospecting clubs and organisations in a manner that protects the natural and cultural features of the park. Prospecting activities demonstrate a clear link to the parks association with the history of gold discovery in Warrandyte (section 5.2). Prospecting may be permitted in the park, under Section 32D of the National Parks Act.
The areas set aside for prospecting using metal detectors, hand tools, pans and/or simple cradles are in the bed of Andersons Creek, Stony Creek and Jumping Creek, upstream from the Jumping Creek road bridge (figure 2). Only non-mechanical hand tools are permitted for prospecting, excavations must be backfilled and vegetation must not be disturbed.
To date, the low level of prospecting in the park has resulted in little impact. Increased use may lead to damage of soil and vegetation. The Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria (PMAV) has developed a Prospectors and Miners Code, which sets out guidelines for safe prospecting and methods to minimise the impacts of prospecting on park values.