This has been raised before here & met with the usual silence + inaction.
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=36078
It's not the first time it's been mooted & the issue has been on NAPFA's radar for years. There was a meeting out at Hill End several years ago that stopped it then.
NAPFA have put in a submission in regards to the draft Hill End Management Plan as have some members.
It's a complicated area but basically there are 3 types of Crown Land out there. NPWS land, Hill End Tambaroora Common land & Crown Land managed by NSW Crown Lands.
NPWS land is off limits to fossicking but does have 2 x pay to stay campsites.
Hill End Tambaroora Common land - the trust allows fossicking but officially camping isn't allowed (unofficially I don't think anyone but NPWS care). To officially allow camping it would need to be included in the Common Management Plan & I believe that could then mean some basic, but costly, facilities would need to be provided in or near dedicated camping areas? Similar to the basic facilities at Wattle Flat.
The other Crown Lands do allow fossicking but you need to get a permit from NSW Crown Lands. Generally unauthorised camping on any Crown Land is not allowed. It is only allowed on lands dedicated or reserved for that purpose or under authority.
By the sounds of it they were camped near Glendora Campground (not in it). This was likely part of the other Crown Lands not part of the Common & could likely be land pending NPWS acquisition. So yes if they were on that land they weren't allowed to camp there & yes they do need a permit from NSW Crown Lands to fossick (not NPWS).
What's happening now is several areas of Crown Land (not part of the Common) have already been acquired by NPWS under Part 11 of the NPWS Act basically giving them control over parcels deemed to have historical significance. They have a number of further Crown Land areas outside of the Common earmarked for future acquisition.
NPWS also take several potshots at the Hill End Tambaroora Common Trust & Fossickers in their draft Hill End Management Plan so I assume they are still gunning for control of the lot including the Common.
It would appear they are trying to force Crown Lands & the Hill End Tambaroora Common Trust to enforce the "No Camping" legislation & fossicking permissions.
There are numerous Crown Lands signs with no camping posted throughout the Common & Crown Lands.
