Woah Woah Woah. Now I know you're a fair dinkum bloke Patrick, and a great prospector, and agree wholeheartedly in what you've said right up to that last little bit about being part of the problem.
Truth is not one prospector asked for or supports a change when we get short changed. And I along with many others submitted supported by different groups, users and lobby groups. I personally contacted a few recreational clubs and their representatives to push for further submissions and I see on the list at least some of the groups did not get a viable submission in.
It's frustrating and then the result is disheartening, but the fact is "people power" just doesn't seem to be enough to keep things from changing. Now I agree there's a problem but I'm bereft of answers as it appears targeted sensible discussion and submissions don't hold enough weight.
My conclusion is that the only real way prospecting will be influenced in natural areas is through 3 avenues.
1. Politicians aligned with user groups view who are able to effectively retain the status quo. But let's face it, it's extremely unlikely.
2. Influence and control as agents of land management. Again, let's face it, the direction comes from the top down not the bottom up, but it certainly would help the cause.
3. Challenge the legalities. Costly but the only real way to circumnavigate existing conditions and use of land. I'm no legal expert but there must be some grounds to challenge. In this case there is probably little hope, but wider land management and prospecting restrictions are surely open to be tested legally. My favorite bet is on the exempt list, I think let them take some if you can slip in the back way to open up areas there is known gold in locations the mean green movement isn't focused on. Let a court decide, and by the time they notice the change the gold will already be on the shovel.
The last hail Mary is to engage in low impact mining licence, costly, but almost assures you of land use. The last lot of changes in vic restrictions is actually very appealing. Trust me, if they go all the way this is exactly what I intend to do, legal, and requires very little external influence to enact.
All hope is not lost even when it feels hopeless. As long as companies are allowed to take it from the Earth there's always a way in for us.
Cheers.