COPELAND TOPS -- STATE CONSERVATION AREA -- NEEDS YOUR INPUT

DEFEND YOUR RIGHTS!

If you live in the Hunter Area or anywhere near Gloucester (NSW) or ever thought about fossicking in the Copeland Tops area, read on.

I received this notice of Public Consultation this week and it follows interest that NAPFA has had in the Copeland Tops area since early in 2014.

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/publications/parks/copeland-tops-conservation-area-draft-plan-management-160378.htm

Submissions are due by 2 December.

SHORT HISTORY LESSON

• This area – which is a State Conservation Area (SCA) -- has been mined and prospected for since the 1870s. It still has an active gold mine in its boundaries.
  Until 2003 this area was State forest or Crown land and Fossicking was permitted.  However, access was ‘stolen’ from fossickers by National Parks through operation of the National Park Estate (Reservations) Act 2003 as part of the outcomes of the North East Regional Forest Agreement.
  
  Since then, because of the unfair prohibition that National Parks maintains for State Conservation Areas (even though mineral titles can be held over those areas), fossicking has not been permitted.
  
  In 2014 NAPFA committee members met with some NPWS executives at the SCA to discuss fossicking and put the view that it be allowed, especially given the former use of the land and the minimal impact that we have.
  
  It has taken NPWS since then to come up with its Draft Plan of Management for the SCA. That plan proposes to maintain the fossicking prohibition.
  
  What you need to know is that Fossicking can be permitted under the NSW National Parks Act in State Conservation Areas – provided it is allowed for in the Plan of Management.
  
  This document is setting up that plan. It is a critical document for your future access to this area.
  
  
  

ACT NOW

So, if you are familiar with this area because you fossick there, or you wish to retain it for future fossicking NOW is the time to do something about it.

Don’t sit back now and then whinge about it later! There are many good writers on this forum so put your minds to it please!

NAPFA will put in its own submission but your own personal stories and contributions are vital for NPWS to understand that these areas matter to fossickers.

In doing so you may be able to weave in the following points (in your own words):

• Fossicking activity adds significantly to the economy of towns in those areas where it is permitted;
• Responsible fossicking involves only a very limited, passing environmental effect;
• People have been fossicking in NSW since the 1850s and this is a heritage cultural activity that should be encouraged and protected in its own right;
• There are known gold diggings in this area;
• Fossickers can be the eyes and ears of the NPWS in the field and able to report illegal or suspicious activity;
• Fossicking is largely undertaken by older people who enjoy this healthy, outdoor recreational activity;
• Fossickers routinely take more than their own rubbish out of areas;
• There are bigger environmental issues to focus on – such as blackberries, foxes, rabbits etc.
• Fossicking will have no lasting impact on the environment.
• Fossickers are not looking for money or hand-outs – just the right to enjoy the natural bounty of NSW.
• Allowing fossicking in the plan of management for this area will increase the enjoyment of the natural estate, in-line with stated policies of the State Government to encourage more recreational use of public land in NSW.

If possible please send a copy of your submissions to President@napfa.net and to your local State Member of Parliament (with a cover note).

Thanks!

Stephen Dangaard
President
NSW & ACT Prospectors and Fossickers Association Inc.

Seems to be a lack of interest on this topic...surely fossickers north of Sydney have an opinion about this?

Hi Steve. I think people can overlook this forum sometimes cause it doesn't get the post volume as General Discussion does.
It's a shame we cant put a link to it in General Discussion ....... or can we 
Cheers
Curley

I think we can Curley, the more that read this and act upon it the better for all.

cheers dave

Aww crikey i'd forgotten all about those submissions ,thanks for that Davsgold ,2nd of Dec   ,i'd better get cracking .Yeah Its important that many people possible get onboard with this .

NAPFA has put in a submission on this.  But it is essential that individuals also get behind it with their own stories.

See link here: http://www.napfa.net/NAPFA-Submissions.html


Cheers

Stephen
President
NAPFA

Mate, put in a response but with NSW now who knows where they will go,
regards Phil