Fossicking for gemstones and detecting for gold are popular hobbies with grey nomads. PIC: Peter McKenzie
Country communities are becoming increasingly appreciative of the economic benefit delivered by grey nomads … and they are starting to think outside the square in order to lure them in.
Fossickers are the latest group to benefit from this more welcoming approach. With the numbers of caravanners and motorhomers making the search for gems and gold a fun part of their Big Lap adventures growing, the NSW Government is planning to expand the number of declared fossicking districts across the state
This evening, for example, Bathurst Regional Council’s policy committee is set to vote to approve a proposal for that Local Government Area to be declared a fossicking district.
In its report to councillors, the council officers are unequivocal about the reasons such a move makes sense … it will make the regional area a more attractive destination for fossickers.
As the Western Advocate newspaper reports, the small-scale collection of minerals and gemstones, is particularly popular among retirees, as well as some other tourists. And they would be prepared to travel to places like Bathurst for the experience.
More than 50 fossicking districts already exist throughout NSW, including near Nyngan and Lightning Ridge.
Declaring an area as a fossicking district does not actually provide open access to land for recreational fossickers, meaning places such as national parks remain protected.
“The legal effect of a declared fossicking district is that fossickers do not need the permission of the holder of a mineral or petroleum exploration licence over the land in question,” the report states. “However, they will still need the permission of local landholders, assessment and mining lease holders, and holders of mineral claims or opal prospecting licences.”
Bathurst Council’s cultural and community services director, Alan Cattermole, has recommended councillors consent to the declaration of a new fossicking district, citing the increased tourism opportunities it would generate, and the absence of any downsides in doing so.
Similar pro-fossicking initiatives in other parts of the country have already proved successful.
I am a gray nomad that travels austrslia visiting all the fossicking areas, somedays we get lucky some days not so lucky.
I feel one thing f or the council is having a free camp area that allows
People to stay at least a month to 3 months as fossicking is a process first going out and reading the land then test panning to find your spot then you need to work at it for about 6 hours a day. Its hard work. I would also recommend having a dump point near by. As for what do we bring to the community , i personally spend about $800 a fortnight on food, diesel and extras. I dont smoke or drink or go out for dinner due to to many food issues. But any thing i need would be purchased locally. But j know alot of other fossickers spend alot more than i do so i believe this would help any community.
Thank you
The peak body for Fossickers in Qld. (QLACCA), carried out a survey recently to determine how much Fossicking contributes to the Australian economy each year, and the results were that it is well over a billion dollars.