Our Compliance team has been actively conducting site visits to permitted areas and designated gold fossicking zones across the country, to ensure adherence to regulations and promote responsible fossicking practices.
As part of its ongoing efforts, the team investigates complaints and prioritises education as a key tool for achieving compliance. Recent visits have included checks on activity in popular gold fossicking locations, with officers providing guidance and information to fossickers about legal requirements and safe practices.
In December 2024, a member of the public observed motorised equipment being used in the Arrow River’s public gold fossicking area and notified us. Use of such equipment is a prohibited activity in designated fossicking areas. The individual involved was identified and formally interviewed by a compliance officer. He stated he was unaware of Crown Minerals Act 1991 provisions about public fossicking areas and had been inspired by television shows such as Gold Diggers Australia. A formal written warning was issued, and the individual was provided with educational resources.
Phil Latimer, National Compliance Manager, noted that motorised equipment is not permitted in gold fossicking areas, and he encourages the public to visit our website for comprehensive information on gold permits and fossicking rules.
I wonder what the person was using? A petrol motor or a battery powered pump? I’ve seen the odd battery set up in use on public fossicking areas but that’s all in recent years. The public areas are pretty much self regulating with all the Karen’s out in full force these days. The odd battery and bilge set up seen is really achieving no more than a standard sluice box. It just makes thing a bit easier for older folk to have a go, plus allows set up where the flow isn’t easy to run a sluicebox. In areas like Victoria you can legally run highbankers, we’ll have seen plenty in action at least, when there’s the water to run them. I feel a sign at the popular arrow area would go a long way in education of what is allowed or not. There sure is a collection of signage for everything under the sun at the start of the macetown track, just nothing regarding fossicking.
Might help at the Arrow public fossicking area if there was signage stating such & the rules & regulations & also markers to show the boundaries of the public fossicking area as outside of the public area are private claims. How is someone to know they have wandered outside the public area & on to a claim?
I know people can go on line & suss the rules & regulations out but they tend not to & then blame ignorance. As in the case with that person using motorised equipment . I can guarantee he knew he wasn’t supposed to be. He was just taking the piss.
Ive had issues with fossickers encroaching on my ground that borders the arrow public fossicking area. Almost all apologize and pack up so pretty good.
Re boundaries- Ive had signs ripped down. I swear Arrowtown has a disproportionate number of people with first name Karen.
Re more signs- Not sure I agree. Im bloody sick of signs. This country panders too much to the ignorant, and inefficient who lack any insight or accountability. Its a bit like road cones - Its just a manifestation of woke.
Yes some people are going to try it on… Big John posted a youtube video of a guy he caught dredging the Arrow PFA with a 4 inch mounted on the back of his ute (ready for a quick get away) in the rain… he claimed ignorance , you could tell he knew exactly what he was doing! Blowing it for others he be!
Hey Prich, By signage I was just meaning the start & end of the DOC administered public area. That way people would know the boundaries & not “poach” on to your claim or the claim up stream. Even though they would be doing so not knowing because the boundaries aren’t defined.
