Petition to show support for fossicking in Queensland state forests

Signed #402

405

#406

after all we are still one great country

Number 410

bergs

Signed as 412 and spreading the word at Clermont.
jollyrwe

#422 Great petition,come on guys lets all show our support, we need heaps more signatures.

432 NOW

Signed. Thanks for telling us about this petition.

i have signed this and it now has my full support #458

signed #460

Signed........ number 427

HAVE SIGNED AND LEFT COMMENT good luck with it hope it is seen as a need rather than a want .being outdoors keeps us all fit and healthy not depending on the gov ,sitting around waiting to die.

Just signed - number 477 - we need a lot more

Here is a bit of an update.....first of all thanks to everyone who has so far had the guts to not just read this but also put their name on the list...common guys, we need to hear your voice , this could be your only chance.
I am expecting to hear some news from the government anytime now on what new ground they have decided to make available for us. As mentioned earlier it does involve all relevant departments , hence the time it takes to resolve. Fingers crossed I will have some good news for everyone soon, if not then we will need to push ahead with this petition and perhaps also involve the media in a big way to have our voice heard.


cheers Andrew (SS)

here is the latest in case you have not seen my other post:
Update re new state forest prospecting areas for Qld.
I have just received a reply from the Director General.
Here are some relevant parts of the letter:

I am pleased to advise that I have instructed officers of my department to work in partnership with the Department of natural resources and Mines ( NRM) to develop a strategic approach the the release of new areas for fossicking in Queensland.
In response, officers have commenced a detailed mapping exercise to identify areas of high value prospecting opportunity throughout the State, in consideration of a number of issues including, but not limited to:
-excisting declared fossicking general permission areas
-State forest now under licence with Hancock's Forest Plantations Qld
-exploration and mining tenure
-other lessee interests
-tourism routes
-enviromentally sensitive areas

This analysis will potentially identify a number of new opportunities for fossicking, and, subjetc to the agreement of other interested parties(i.e leaseholders), allow me to grant general permission to the mining registrar for fossicking on new sites in State forests.

It is envisaged that further consultation will be held with fossicking representatives to develop new standard conditions for the use of these forest areas and the conduct of fossicking operations{i.e tools, equipment and camping) . These conditions will then guide the gradual release of new sites over time, allowing for the consent of other parties to be obtained and the installation of signage or information for forest users.
...........I can advise that my department has recently completed an analysis of the Durakai and Talgai State Forests, in the Southern Downs, and I anticipate that the creation of new fossicking opportunities in these forests will occur shortly.





well guys, I hope this will be just the beginning for all those who have had to put plans on hold for many years now to legally fossick in Qlds state forests. Let's hope we will soon be able to acquire more areas all over Qld.......
Nevertheless, this is just a foot in the door and we need to keep showing positive support , let's also try and PLEASE do the right thing when we are out and about , no matter where in this beautiful country of ours, FILL IN YOUR HOLES !

Happy Swinging Guys.......
cheers Andrew ( SS)

Hi Folks, well done Andrew! Great work! it is high time more of this "Wide Brown Land " became more accessible to decent law abiding citizens of this country,............." We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil, Our home is girt by sea " ....Girt!! most of it round here is girt by fences or some Ba%4#&ds lease of some kind,

"Beneath our radiant Southern Cross We’ll toil with hearts and hands"....Yeahh!! if we can find somewhere to toil without getting harrassed or worse still SHOT!!! by some angry leaseholder with a legally given monopoly!

"Our land abounds in nature’s gifts of beauty rich and rare" Yeahh! but the best bits are all monopolised!!

It gets right up my nose that so much access to so much land is denied to so many who want only to do the right thing and leave virtually no trace or perhaps even a positive benefit to that land.

Ok! Ok!! Rant and bitch over.

Its people like you Andrew that take this cause forward and you are to be commended for that!

" We’ve boundless plains to share, With courage let us all combine to Advance Australia Fair "

Regards
Wayne.

may the gold angel smile on all of us,i have signed my no 485 good hunting all

Welol done Andrew s a relaive newbee I thank for your hard work and dedication to our hobby
may he who is above smile down on us
kierry

Many thanks for everybody who has supported this so far, I would just like to mention that I don't deserve full credit here for this as I was spured on by Wazza's post about trying to get more ground made available in SE Qld...So Wazza is another to be commented for his effords so far.......I had already made several attempts with the previous government without getting any proper response, so this time I thought we might as well have another bash to see if this new "DAN DO" government can really do something for us prospectors. So far, things look promising, not just for us but also for other groups and people with interests to pursue their hobbies and lifestyle in the great outdoors of Qld. It looks very much like this new government is finally starting to see the benefits which will flow on from this in many ways.
A lot of work goes in behind the scenes which hopefully will allow us more freedom which we should be entitiled to. We will never achieve anything if we just talk about things ....I believe in this...never put off till tomorrow what you can do today !

Hopefully , soon I will be able to post some more info in regards to this and we can make plans to visit newly opened areas for prospecting in Qld.
Thanks to all, happy swinging, cheers Andrew

both Andrew and Wazza both need to be commended on the effort they are putting into opening up more areas for prospecting and detecting. like i said you have my full support.

LuckyNug

No 506 here

signed today #521

is there a similar petition for nsw or are there plans to start one

524

You are both to be commended on what you are doing, you are a credit to the great interest of ours.

Jeff

dam i forgot my number lol can i sign up again or is this forbidden

Have signed Bunter

Here is the latest news in regards to new Fossicking Areas in QLDs state forests.
After communications with my government contact handling this for us I have just received an update , to keep you informed:
Thanks Andrew,
We have now assessed several State Forests as being suitable for fossicking and they are currently being assessed by the Department of Mines and Energy (DME) for petroleum and other mining impediments. In tandem with that, we are undertaking a detailed assessment of each State Forest to confirm that there are no environmental issues or other non petroleum and mining impediments (i.e Grazing leases) that would affect the declaration.
I appreciate that things may be taking longer than we all would have hoped, but it is important that we check things thoroughly. I can't say how long this will take to complete as we are dealing with several other urgent issues and I am sure that DME are in the same position. You can be confident though that we have not forgotten this tasks and that it is being progressed as quickly as resources allow.
Appreciate you keeping in touch.

Regards,

Jason


So, hopefully we will get some real good news soon with the nomination of the first new open State Forests so we can pursue this hobby.
cheers SS ( Andrew)

Have just signed
533
Dave C

Signed on 535 I think, give or take a few numbers lol

Signed.

Too many restrictions all over the state. Restore the old fields for fossickers now!