Post by imadogman on Aug 30, 2015 22:02:47 GMT 10
NAPFA has just achieved a major breakthrough with the NSW Government on the vexed question of requiring permission of mining Exploration Lease holders to undertake fossicking.
The NSW Government has said it will undertake consultation in the next several months with many Local Governments throughout the state with the objective of having those Local Government Areas (LGA) declared as new Fossicking Districts. We take them at their word!
The practical impact of this is that fossickers will not require the permission of mining EL holders to undertake fossicking on many more areas of NSW.
It does NOT give fossickers any new rights of access – you will still require the permission of landowners or managers to fossick on non-Crown Land. And technically you need to be fossicking in a Fossicking District. You also cannot fossick on mining claims or areas where there is active mining. This change only refers to Exploration Leases.
However it will mean you won’t be in violation of the regulations if you fossick on EL areas in any Fossicking District without permission of EL holders.
It will remedy the current absurd situation where mining companies can deny fossickers the chance to fossick, or to warn them off, on land where they have ELs. An example of this is at the very popular Hill End and surrounding area where members have been discouraged by the EL holder.
In reaching this outcome NAPFA faced very stiff opposition by the NSW Mineral’s Council but we are very pleased to see that the Minister, Anthony Roberts, saw the merit and justice in our case, and took a proposal to the NSW Cabinet on our behalf.
It is something that has been on the NAPFA wish list ever since we formed, but finally we are there.
It is very much a win for fossickers and we can celebrate it at the next AGM at Hill End on 7 November (see separate post).
We expect there will be a public announcement of the new Fossicking Districts before the end of the year.
cheers
Stephen
President
NAPFA
The NSW Government has said it will undertake consultation in the next several months with many Local Governments throughout the state with the objective of having those Local Government Areas (LGA) declared as new Fossicking Districts. We take them at their word!
The practical impact of this is that fossickers will not require the permission of mining EL holders to undertake fossicking on many more areas of NSW.
It does NOT give fossickers any new rights of access – you will still require the permission of landowners or managers to fossick on non-Crown Land. And technically you need to be fossicking in a Fossicking District. You also cannot fossick on mining claims or areas where there is active mining. This change only refers to Exploration Leases.
However it will mean you won’t be in violation of the regulations if you fossick on EL areas in any Fossicking District without permission of EL holders.
It will remedy the current absurd situation where mining companies can deny fossickers the chance to fossick, or to warn them off, on land where they have ELs. An example of this is at the very popular Hill End and surrounding area where members have been discouraged by the EL holder.
In reaching this outcome NAPFA faced very stiff opposition by the NSW Mineral’s Council but we are very pleased to see that the Minister, Anthony Roberts, saw the merit and justice in our case, and took a proposal to the NSW Cabinet on our behalf.
It is something that has been on the NAPFA wish list ever since we formed, but finally we are there.
It is very much a win for fossickers and we can celebrate it at the next AGM at Hill End on 7 November (see separate post).
We expect there will be a public announcement of the new Fossicking Districts before the end of the year.
cheers
Stephen
President
NAPFA
