A NAPFA win -- NSW Government to look at fossicking in National Parks

Sounds promising and a little more positive than some of the news of late.
Two big thankyous Stephen, #1. To you and NAPFA for the work you have done in getting to this point, regardless of what happens I believe its a win!
 
2# The membership card is a little reminder to all who have one, that the little bloke can, when required, stand up and get noticed and be heard. Regardless of the outcome in the end, a win is a win.
 
Top work to all involved!

Well done NAPFA, you've got a wedge in the door, good luck with your endeavours.

Cheers
Peter

Good on you NAPFA . Thanks for your company on the weekend mate. Membership application in the mail
Cheers John

Great work NAPFA ... this is certainly a foot in the door!!! Good job!!! Hopefully the ball will continue to roll   

Great work there NAPFA and all who contribute.


Was great to see you again Steve, but what happens in camp (or Maryborough) stay in camp   

Had a great time.


GoldEN

Well done Steve and NAPFA. I hope you all get better results from your Government than we did from the Vic Gov. in regards to prospecting in State & National Parks here. All we got was a  
Good luck and   

It was great catching up with you and the rest of the guys last weekend as well. Had a great time   
wombat   

Yes well done ! I think going at it from a Tourism point of view is the way to go, The Tourism Dollar is extremely important to most of out of major population centres. Prospectors and tourists visiting these places make good numbers and help them survive.
Cheers
Ashley

Hi

NSW state forest fossicking permits(for all state forests in NSW as a single permit) have been available through the bathurst office for some time now.
Only through the bathurst office, or at least it was unless things got nasty.

Also, last 6 months or so, have been in discussion with minister for small business and environment over official legal access to fossick in state conservation areas.
U know all those state forest areas we want to go to that got morphed a whiles back into SCA to stop access for us.
Anyways, last I heard back they were re-visiting the legislation to see what could be done and changed.
Apparently in the legislation the minister can give permission, so we wait n c.
The main part was also assuring them that we do no harm n use minimal equipment.

cheers.
Lee.

Contact details for the bathurst office. B nice n polite.

Susan Dippre | Business Support Officer | Macquarie Region | Softwood Plantations Branch |
Forestry Corporation of NSW

PO Box 143 | Cnr Panorama Ave and Browning Street Bathurst 2795
T: 02 6330 1001 | F: 02 6331 5528 | E: susan.dippre@sf.nsw.gov.au

W: www.forests.nsw.gov.au

Cheers.
Lee.
ps. Believe I paid over the phone via credit card.

Oops, contact may have been this lady. sorry. B nice n polite still.

Jenny Wasow - Business Support Officer - Macquarie Region - Forests NSW

NSW Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services

PO Box 143 - Cnr Panorama Ave and Browning Street Bathurst NSW 2795

Phone (02) 6331 2044

Fax (02) 6331 5528

Email: jennyw@sf.nsw.gov.au

Thanks Lee.

State Forest Permits have been very inconsistent. 
Some posts have said Bathurst did, then they didn't, then they did.  Coffs Harbour has been pretty consistent.  Other offices have been one region only.
NAPFA has been pursuing this forests permit stuff for well over a year, including in the Parliamentary Inquiry in August (recommendations tabled -- check the submissions online).  On November 12, via an intermediary, NAPFA suggested the following changes to the CEO of the State Forests Corporation:

• Examine feasibility of eliminating the permit altogether as a possible cost saving measure
  
• If it must remain, then it should be like a fishing licence -- one licence for the whole state
  
• Create Special Annual Permit for clubs to visit all areas (a price of $100 for clubs was suggested as being fair)
  
• An online system to enable self service and online payment
  

[size=14.66]We received information back via letter on November 22 saying that Forestry Corporation of NSW (FCNSW) was working to streamline the permit processes and that in 'early 2014' they would introduce an online system with one  permit for the whole state to replace the present system.[/size]
[size=14.66]To my knowledge this has not yet happened; if it has then that's great. [/size]

[size=14.66]cheers[/size]
[size=14.66]Stephen[/size]
[size=14.66]NAPFA President.[/size]

Just an update on any news on State conservation areas access for fossicking.

Did the government departments give in or is it a brick wall??

Cheers.
Lee.

Hi Toysandthings,
At the NAPFA AGM on the 14th of this month those members that we present(62 of us) were briefed on progress with the NSW NPWS; yes we are moving forward in the quest to gain access to SCA's and some areas contained within National Parks.
As with many government departments, bringing about changes such as those that we are trying to introduce have to go through many pairs of hands and that for the most part will rarely happen as quickly and smoothly as most of us would like to see.
It's a bit like dismantling that brick wall you mentioned in your post, brick by brick, it will take time but we are making progress in the right direction.
Cheers, AUoptimist.