G'day to you all. This is my first post since joining so I hope it helps with the fossicking question.
I've got a copy of the "Fossicking Rules and Responsibilities" which I downloaded from the Gov't website.
Under the heading "Where you can fossick" it states - Provided you have a fossicking licence and the written permission of the landowner, you may fossick on most land throughout the state." It then goes on to say - "However, fossicking is not permitted in: National Parks, Conservation Parks and High Preservation Areas; Nominated Waterways of Wild river Areas; state Forests and Timber Reserves except in declared fossicking areas or general permission areas; Where Native Title Exists unless there is an agreement that permits fossicking; and other areas declared by regulation (these will be signposted).
Also, you can fossick on "Unoccupied Land" unless there is native title. Also on road reserves but you can only collect, no digging. Of course you can fossick on private land if you have permission - and that one can get very complicated. And of course, you can fossick in those declared fossicking areas.
The rest of the publication goes on about your responsibilities as a fossicker and about personal protection and safety. These two items take up about four pages of the nine page document. That gives you some idea of the thought process of the idiots who dream up this stuff. Mate of mine calls them "Boof-O-Crats". He got that right.
The idea of having a state wide organisation to support and look after fossickers is a great idea, and without it you won't get anywhere in trying to change the laws. Sorry fellas, but that is how this bloody world operates.
But spare a thought for people like myself and a mate who would like to get a "Mining Claim" for some previously worked old mining land. I have spent hours and hours trying to work out just how a bloke does this. Think I've nearly got it but that time could have been better spent looking for the pretty gold stuff. You have to jump through so many hoops I can understand why so many people just walk away, or go and do it anyway - illegally. But that's my whinge. Hope the above helps sort out the fossicking side of things for you. Cheers
