Just seeking peoples thoughts and experiences with dealing with the public when Dredging areas right in the public eye (walking track on other side of the river) The operation is legal and council will be informed etc but just get the feeling the way the world is with the greenies etc at the moment that it won’t take long before I will have to deal with them in one way or another. I’m thinking of putting a sign up stating its legal permitted activity, council monitored, under 24hour severance (monition actived camera with phone alert) and my contact details.
Good luck you will be inundated with questions. My personal suggestion is to make sure that the motor/s are well baffled there is nothing more likely to annoy the public.
I speak from personal experience when a number of work colleagues bailed me up about someone using a 2 stroke motor on a dredge opposite a public park (I think they thought it was me).
I was thinking of working in an area where Il see public as well and was thinking the same thing. Can just imagine some greenies looking for a reason to complain. I think signage like you say and just working with that in mind. I wouldn’t bother getting out of the water for anyone. Maybe on the sign say, work in progress, dont disturb!
Yep .. seen a few setups where the dredge operator has laminated signs on poles that the public can read .. stating the claim number and that you have permission to do so .. also supply a contact number and/or email address if members of the public have any issues or concerns they can contact you directly and have a civil conversation .. unfortunately you are always going to get “Karens” being a pain in the arse!
Do Not Disturb will definitely be on the sign, in bold! I will be operating by myself so probably won’t even know if someone is wanting ask questions or even watching me, I will start with signs and the camera hope for the best. I just want to dredge in peace!
It’s quite sad that the joke use to be the you could tell when the wingeing poms arrived when they turn the engines off you could still hear the wingeing.
Now all us no8 kiwis do is winge. Where did it go wrong
Signs etc seem like an overreaction imho. I dredge in a very public spot where 4wders and walkers come by often. Majority of them will just be curious about what you’re up to, maybe keen for a yarn and ask if you’re finding anything. Some are lost and need directions haha. Can be time consuming so I won’t stop work to talk but if out of the water refuelling or whatever then a quick chat is all good.
Just be sure you’re complying with all rules, including the ones that sometimes are forgotten (eg in Otago spill tray beneath engine when refuelling in the wet river bed)
