Victoria's New Gold Prospecting Restrictions Are Shocking (Pt.1)

[@OzGeologyOfficial]

Hey everyone, I’ve got an important update to share about S7 land restrictions, confirmed through discussions with a mining lawyer. To ensure absolute accuracy, I’ve been working with a top-tier law firm specializing in mining law. Their expertise has been incredible, reflecting their work with major clients, but I’ve also learned that firms of this caliber come with a significant cost due to their specialization and scale. To make this process more affordable, the lawyer I’ve been working with has generously offered to connect me with a smaller firm to obtain a written legal statement at a lower cost. This way, I can still get the clarity I need without breaking the bank-and I can share this vital information with all of you. Importantly, I want to be clear that I’m not planning to start a crowdfunding campaign or ask for financial support for this project. This is something I’m personally committed to, and I’ll continue covering these costs myself to ensure we can all better navigate Victoria’s prospecting laws. I’ll share the legal document with you as soon as it’s finalized. Where I Was Right S7 land is completely off-limits for prospecting under a Miner’s Right on Crown Land. The Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 makes it explicit that land classified under Section 7 is exempt from activities permitted under a Miner’s Right. This means that public prospecting-including detecting, panning, or any other activity-is strictly prohibited on S7 land. Where I Was Wrong I previously believed that S7 restrictions also applied to private land, meaning you couldn’t prospect even if you owned the property. However, this is not the case. If you own land classified under S7, you are allowed to prospect on it, provided it isn’t subject to an existing license (like a mining or exploration license). Ownership gives you the right to prospect, as long as no additional restrictions are in place. Why This Matters This clarification is significant for everyone navigating Victoria’s complex prospecting laws. While S7 land is strictly restricted for public prospecting under a Miner’s Right, private landowners have more flexibility than I originally thought. Understanding this distinction helps prevent unintentional breaches and ensures we all stay compliant with the law. What’s Next? I’m continuing to investigate the laws surrounding restricted (green) and unavailable (red) crown land classifications, which remain inconsistent and unclear. My ultimate goal is to create a definitive resource that explains where you can and cannot prospect in Victoria. This will include: Detailed explanations of S7, restricted crown land, and unavailable crown land classifications. Tutorials on using tools like GeoVic to navigate land classifications confidently. Guides on understanding the geology of gold, gems, and other minerals. Clear, legally backed explanations for all land classifications to eliminate confusion. Thank you for your patience and support as I work through this process. If you have questions about S7 land, restricted or unavailable crown land, or anything else related to Victoria’s prospecting laws, feel free to drop them in the comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences! Stay safe, stay informed, and let’s keep prospecting legal and enjoyable for everyone!

[@lordradin8549]

Thank you.. Love all your hard work and informative video's

[@edwardmuller9041]

Actually our constitution used to state that the resources of the country belong to its citizens so if this has changed well they snuck that one in without our knowledge and the country should be aware of how sneaky conniving and untrustworthy all of our government has become

[@rawknucklesprospecting682]

This sucks as a prospector out at wedderburn I frequently travel to Inglewood and Bendigo, recently finding a devils cube loaded with fine gold & a fossle in the same host bedrock I am disappointed & passed off at the Alan government for pandering g to the greens for there own agendas. About time someone stood upto bureaucratic bullshit & start using common sense.

[@junglejim5343]

Thanks mate. Quite a bit going on there. I can say from first hand experience, it isn’t about big mining trying to shut people out. Quite the opposite. I have been involved on trying to get a mining project up in Victoria for 15 years. $120m later using private funding, we have received nothing but obstruction and abuse. These changes are all about the unelected anti mining body that has infected all levels of government. Including the so called Minster for Mines, who hasn’t approved any new developments for years. Without consultation, they have made these decisions because they hate mining. There is a deep cancer within the Vic govt. The absolute lack of accountability is why the state is the laughing stock of the world, is dead set broke but continues to be run by people who push private ideological agendas that hurt everyone. Kick the government out and most of the public service parasites. No one on the planet would tolerate a corporation to be run this badly. But we seem to go along with this mob thinking they’re doing a great job.

[@Dumbc-Nut]

What would anyone expect from a Dictatorship, the Political Parties have taken Ownership of Australia outside of The Constitution Act.

[@themadhanna]

I've never mined or prospected in my life, but now that I know it's illegal, I will begin.

[@shanelocke237]

ONYA CHAMP THATS THE WAY

[@madascutsnake181]

Ha ha 😂😂😂

[@Jamin-i6u]

Same here... got a metal detector from temu lol..

[@themadhanna]

@Jamin-i6u hit me up bro, let's dig the fuck outta this bitch!

[@infoanalysistconspiracyrealist]

When injustice becomes law resistance becomes duty!

[@brettoberry3586]

A government that doesn't consult CITIZENS does not care what the citizens think. They know it would not pass a vote by the people. "It is hard to imagine a more stupid or more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong." ~Thomas Sowell

[@bearbellyprospecting1941]

A CITIZEN is a corporate entity. I am a living man, a corporate entity cannot contract with a living being.

[@azzagirt2]

@@bearbellyprospecting1941 May I ask, do you pay taxes?

[@bearbellyprospecting1941]

@@azzagirt2 this I am working on, as the ATO has no lawful authority. 1943 exertion (income) tax was brought in as a voluntary tax.

[@FreeAsABirdSydneyAustralia]

I heard they changed a name of a local reserve in VIC to a SIK name and know one who lives around it had any idea.

[@Hochspitz]

Sigh, all done without the public having a clue.

[@PaxAlotin]

Sadly, most Victorian voters are sheeple - they love their Marxist System.

[@nuggetella]

2020 should've been a wake up call, now the elites know the people are easily managed and robbed, so; "it's conduct only expands"..! 🤫

[@achebwahs1111]

Yet the public blindly vote for the same mob tie and time again

[@kulpritblk1578]

Oh no, there's some people there that know why. Maybe they shouldn't disrespect the person who owns all the land.

[@PaxAlotin]

@@kulpritblk1578 Spell it out.

[@darrenmckendry3541]

This is bullsh1t, Time for another Eureka Stockade

[@PeterAcrat]

💪💯✊

[@gregoryallan1137]

❤❤

[@Brandanmayhew]

Oh yeah as if. We had guns then.. now we have feminists and trans

[@markbernard8312]

You better make it better than the first one

[@HouseholdDog]

Was just thinking that.

[@corex72]

I feel sick to my stomach every time I see another freedom taken in victoria.

[@bamboo1566]

cause the people let it most people would rather watch tv then go and have say at local council meetings pathetic whingers

[@seanbeadles7421]

As an American this is such an obscure and obtuse right to be so upset about lol

[@iggyguy88897]

Victoria more like the whole of Australia is fucked . And most don't want to see it. Woke Australia. Never thought I'd see the day .

[@corex72]

@ agreed.

[@peterveitch3952]

Stop voting labor. Labor and the greens is strangling the life out of this country

[@taleandclawrock2606]

Thats outrageous. Whoever brought and approved that law needs to be diligently investigated for vested interests or meetings with large private mining corporations, or the WEF. Outrageous stripping of landowner rights. All existing landowners should be able to sue for govt stripping /confiscating valuble respurces on your own property...THAT IS THEFT.

[@adzmac515]

I was once proud of being Australian, now I’m embarrassed. Why are we all just sitting back and saying “I suppose that’s fair enough” to all these restrictions being brought on us?

[@Timic83tc]

No one should be sitting back.

[@paulcox9366]

Because when the cops are at your door no one is risking their job, home or kids to argue. And they know this from COVID. You will get your prospecting back after they have taken everyones reason in Victoria to own a gun by takeaway public hunting. That's the end game. That and handing it all back to the indigenous

[@sillysalmon8780]

Eureka 2.0 Half of Australia are imports that never learnt our history nor do they care

[@kaycee3977]

We should actually all just stop paying attention to them! What we really need to do is simply turn our backs on them! & really try to ignore them all, quite frankly.. Cos that’s the only thing I think, we actually can do about this, in my opinion anyway! There’s no need to protest! It’s just about us needing to stop giving them anymore of our attention! & our time! Seriously!!! It’s time to stop being a victim! We don’t need to fear their ridiculous laws! They don’t care about us, so why should we continue to care about them?! Seriously? It’s as simple as that! We really are much freer than we think we are… ok? It’s true! But our minds have been so programmed into believing that we have no choice but to do whatever they say! But that’s not actually the case! Is it? Of course it’s not! We really need to wake up! We really need to start remembering that SE DO HAVE A CHOICE & none of us want or need a government to control us! Alright?! Cos that’s dumb! Yeah? Stoopid! So… that’s how I see it!

[@Rinzler101]

🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🐑🤣

[@aaronhopkins6697]

If on your own land, it's no longer prospecting. It's washing the dirt of the rocks for your new landscaping designed garden.

[@borisj4054]

Exactly.

[@Timic83tc]

What a sickening disgrace

[@WilpenaPound359]

Labor government! 😮

[@infoanalysistconspiracyrealist]

When injustice becomes law resistance becomes duty! Gold Rush in Victoria!

[@leinad.s]

It's almost for the point. Just get everyone to start going and not even paying any licence just getting a pan and going.

[@nevertrustthegovernment7749]

Orwell !!!!!!!

[@Kronin-n6f]

Trust the jew to call out a land grab.

[@richardvivian3665]

Nobody is going to pay any attention to these restrictions. Just go and prospect

[@13thbiosphere]

Exactly what is the fine it's just a slap on the wrist forget about it.... You just have to be more stealthy and move on if observed

[@southofthesticks]

What happens if you strike the jack pot though ??? Are they going to say "Thank you, that's ours now" ???

[@cleft_3000]

@@southofthestickskeep it quiet for a good while before you do anything with it would be my suggestion

[@HoratioFitzbastard]

​@@cleft_3000I'd be holding on to any gold I found anyway. We're going to need it soon enough.

[@davidbamford4721]

@@southofthesticks Exactly.

[@sambardeeryumyum9554]

As a former Victorian and I'm a fifo miner, there was a publication 2/3 yrs back that Gina R, had purchased and file land rights for drilling exploration around Bendigo, so this does not surprise me

[@Yabanmf666]

Is anyone shocked that you can't do anything in Victoria?

[@geoffbartlett8203]

Nope

[@geosid1696]

Not shocked, but no pen pusher/law breaker (gov) will stop my right to freedom to venture out bush while I pay tax dollars $$$$$$$$. Stop me from being me is when I'll finally stop paying tax to fund this corrupt Entity it has become.

[@MarginalFarming]

you can still wear a mask

[@kaycee3977]

⁠@@MarginalFarming😂😂😂

[@newman653]

Aboriginals can do what they like !

[@timwhite1783]

Price of gold goes up and the government's first action is to make sure it's citizens can't profit from it.

[@jasonthompson5324]

Thanks for bringing this to Australia’s attention

[@StephenThompson-o2r]

Is this Jason Thompson of Castlemain?

[@jasonthompson5324]

No mate Jason from Sydney but I’d love to be from down there I’d be detecting and sampling my ass off

[@jasonthompson5324]

If everyone would like a laugh Google the ex minister for roads and transport David Campbell at kens of Kensington It was the night of the f3 accident when the country needed him haha he was in a nappy and baby bonnet getting spanked at a gay brothel - I love Australian government best comedy show in town Hopefully everyone prospects in Victoria more now

[@cameronhickey7771]

If u do a "welcome to country" and a smoke ceremony, does that make it ok to mine 😂

[@williamlloyd3769]

No public hearings on these changes? No public publication ahead of implementation?

[@paddlesmcbean2366]

That’s how socialist dictators work.

[@davidbamford4721]

@@williamlloyd3769 It was kept quiet to avoid another source of demonstrations.

[@alibarber57]

@williamlloyd3769 that's the Labor way..ram it through on the quiet..like their secret treaty talks

[@nuggetella]

​@@alibarber57 Or Gillard reforms. 🤫 The parasites are openly conspiring..!

[@mickryan2450]

Typical we are only sheep to them

[@Gronk80]

It's only illegal if you get caught. Do what you want and don't get caught. Makes it far more exciting.

[@carl8568]

I mean, even if you do get caught, there are ways to deal with this nonsense. A fine is simply an offer.

[@danbowdidge6053]

Exactly right, you can't even buy a block of land and live in caravan on your own property while saving money to build something permanent, this country is nuts

[@cleft_3000]

What? That’s ridiculous

[@frankmontanari5534]

Farked more like it

[@Ful-OGold]

@@danbowdidge6053 yep, can’t afford to buy, can’t afford to rent, not allowed to be homeless.

[@George-xb5ey]

Pure extortion at every corner with this country

[@benjaminmclennan4154]

Not nutts it's fucked up, sheep we all are Australians lost there balls long ago against the penguins

[@mackamotorsport2593]

This is what happens voting Labor, Liberals or Greens. Use your vote wisely amd put them last.

[@travprice3979]

Your vote is powerless. They are selected not elected. This country is so faked and they know Aussies won't do shit but threaten them at the ballot box. The coat of arms is redundant and should be replaced with a badly folded cheap suit. So many tough guy fun 'hero's in this joint but very few have a spine. Its pathetic and we're weak

[@mackamotorsport2593]

@topdeckdog we live in Australia and have preference voting so you literally could vote for anyone and then do the major parties from the bottom with your least liked (for sane people this would be greens, then either Labor or Libs) and its not a wasted vote like it would be in the u.s with preferential voting. As for the smaller parties, I like the Libretarian Party but I certainly understand how people vote one nation with the excellent job Pauline does pointing out the Lab and Libs bullshit with her please explain cartoon. It should be whatever party represents YOU, your values and vision for the country best. Just put the Majors last.

[@kalibo-8]

The problem with bureaucrats is they have to keep creating more rules & laws, otherwise they become redundant.

[@mickryan2450]

90s all over

[@haruhisuzumiya6650]

Their jobs is to hold people accountable

[@carl8568]

More control. That is the direction.

[@tmiller1079]

They're playing the same game as SA did with fishing. Created 'aquatic reserves' where I can't go to catch a single fish (or no fish as often happens) under the guise of conservation, but commercial fishers are allowed to net there.

[@davidbamford4721]

This takes me back to when I was a field geologist in WA in 1969. Large areas of WA were subject to an Exploration Licence, and I will bet that this is what has happened here. This is the power of Big Mining!

[@306champion]

I reckon you're right.

[@cleft_3000]

Yep

[@yfelwulf]

Guaranteed all the rights have been handed to US companies

[@annabellhaynes7469]

So True..

[@hthring]

lobyists

[@herby375]

I’ve reached out multiple times about panning in the rivers on that list. I’ve emailed The Miner's Den, spoken to prospecting clubs, and even contacted a ranger, but no one ever responds. From what I’ve gathered, the rivers on the "no-go" list were added under questionable circumstances. It seems to stem from historical restrictions, where old-time prospectors built shanties along their river claims. But at the end of the day, what can we do about it? Nothing!

[@anisenkrill6179]

Remember when they told us to turn in our guns before taking our prospecting rights? Me neither. Our state flag has a prospector with a pick and shovel, not a crown. I feel sad for the Aussies. They went from some of the most independent people on the planet to the least in 2 decades.

[@MickTurczyn]

During convid lockdowns there were numerous notifications posted on social media community noticeboards regarding applications for exploration licences by one particular company covering vast swathes of Victoria.

[@MullockHeap]

I’d be willing to bet Sovereign Hill got an exemption to this, if not, technically their gold panning attraction is now illegal.

[@h.c5750]

The panning attraction is gold they put in the stream so it's probably fine

[@ibanezlaney]

@@h.c5750 I know someone who did find a decent little nugget there once while on a school excursion. The site operators tried to steal it and said the girl who found it couldn't keep it. Complete scumbags who had no problem scamming a small child.

[@vsvnrg3263]

@@h.c5750 , yeah, nah, they probably need an exemption.

[@Brandanmayhew]

I honestly think it would be the big mining Mafia that has pushed certain leaders to make this change. It's not a coinsidence that its happening right when gold is at an all time high

[@GZCon]

Victoria isn't a joke for prospecting, it's just a joke

[@FergHyde]

5:03 No conspiracy, it's a common occurrence Australia wide that corporations are given leeway simultaneous to the rest of us punters losing rights and access.

[@yfelwulf]

Guaranteed all the rights have been handed to US companies

[@FergHyde]

@@yfelwulf Or Chinese companies.

[@amateurmakingmistakes]

Don't some countries charge the locals fees to mine the tailings of the mines of companies that have already plundered the locals' areas already? Of course, the government in Victoria is looking for ways to pay off its huge debts ... and so they're letting the large corporations go, cos how can they charge amateur gold seekers? Oh yeah, next thing is you'll have those corporations employ armed security guards. Stinks of what Freemont does in New Guinea.

[@nathan_486]

The Victorian labour government is indeed a disgrace. Primarily city dwellers who don't even venture out bush but feel they have to "protect" it from everyday Australians. Glad I've moved to Kal. The small towns that hobby prospectors visit and spend money in will suffer the most. Aside from the prospectors... I'm a member of the PMAV who do try and fight for prospectors rights. It's quite an uphill fight.

[@bobschannel7858]

Eureka stockade all over again 😂

[@bigboigusytheboys4]

@@bobschannel7858 nobody would have the guts to stand as a community and fight for there rights let’s be honest

[@geoffcohen613]

So why are the opposition not jumping up and down over this.?

[@karldownard7745]

Because which ever of the bastards is running the state they will reap the windfall in royalties and taxes. Political class are just a bunch of pricks..

[@azfreeaz2665]

Because they've all got shares in Big mining.

[@pluffer241]

They'd wish they had thought of it.

[@EvilMrFoo]

there IS no opposition in Australia

[@robertbroadbent5495]

The gutless pricks didn’t even turn up for a vote on the internet restrictions fir kids

[@gslim7337]

Victoria was two years ago stone cold broke. The Victorian government has all these massive infrastructure projects running over budget. It has signed contracts to build a rail tunnel, the circumference of outer Melbourne with no cash in the bank to do it. The federal government won't bail them. China will not bail them. Your cars are disintegrating because of the state of the roads. You will wait 2 hours for an ambulance. Police are on strike. They tax business to a point where they are leaving. All this following six lockdowns, over 267 days. More than any other place on the planet. Should I be surprised that they have outlawed the means by which this state was created and prospered. No, not really.

[@mathewferstl7042]

covid gave us the debt, not infrastructure

[@michaelreardon3010]

Well said my friend 👍

[@frankmontanari5534]

Victoria is farked, from an ex victorian

[@danb8877]

yeh its shit but there aint no universe in hell that 1) a liberal govt would do better 2) a liberal govt will get in in Victoria. Let's face it. As shit as labor is, liberal govt federally and in the states only care about big business and wiping out the middle class. Plus the pentecostal tongue talking , qld cop, sex offenders, kiddy fiddlers, rapists, war crimes, desk wanks, pork barilaro antics of conservatives in australia. Anyof there supporters are truly at best useful idiots and at worst, bootlickers.

[@StarSwarm.]

And yet the are actually plenty of fing muppets out there who think all of what you said is either justified or they’re happy with it. Absolute boot lickers! Australians are pathetically brainwashed.

[@SnK_Prospecting_Adelaide]

OzGeology you may have misinterpreted a S7 exemption . I went to the Vic Gov resource web site and looked up S7 here is what came up. " Section 7 exemptions. Under Section 7 of the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990, the Minister may grant an exemption to prevent a licence from being issued within a certain land area. An exemption can be granted for any reason the Minister deems necessary as outlined in the Act." The way I read it. It means no mining licence will be issued for the exempted areas. Doesn't mention hobby prospecting being banned. or am I incorrect

[@OzGeologyOfficial]

I wish that was true. This is what I wrote in the description: If you scroll down to the bottom of the Vic Resources Government website, under the list of Prohibited Crown Land, this is what is written. The section that applies to S7 is the very last line. "Prohibited Crown land is land where recreational prospecting is banned and includes land that is:" The line referring to S7 is: "an area exempted from recreational prospecting or an extractive industry or otherwise exempted under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 or any other Act." resources.vic.gov.au/licensing-approvals/fossicking/where-you-can-prospect-and-fossick The Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 is S7. resources.vic.gov.au/licensing-approvals/mineral-licences/section-7-exemptions? Here's the section that forbids it under the act. Scroll down to page 157. content.legislation.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-06/90-92aa126%20authorised.pdf Under Part 5, Division 1 on page 157, regarding recreational fossicking it is explicitly stated that such rights do not apply to land exempted under Section 7 unless specifically included. The section that states it says the following: Miner's right (1) A miner's right entitles the holder to search for minerals on any of the following land, unless the land is covered by a mining licence, prospecting licence or retention licence- (a) private land, but only with the consent of the owner or occupier; and (b) Crown land (other than land exempted under section 6, 6A or 7 of this Act or nominated under section 7(1) of the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978). The "and" is a very important part of this, as it means both conditions must be true. If you own private land, but it falls under S7, prospecting and mining is forbidden unless an exemption is granted to you by the minister.

[@ritagurney-lo6fp]

This will kill a lot of tourism!

[@mehmettemel8725]

All those towns affected should be the ones to protest these stupid rules. Imagine all the economic losses of accommodation and shopping for necessities ,eating at restaurants etc.

[@Ful-OGold]

@@ritagurney-lo6fp have they not heard of a mining boom. Mining or prospecting made new towns in the early days. It brings the town to life.

[@seanbeadles7421]

Are tourists tripping over themselves to play prospector for a day in Victoria?? As an American, this is not even on the top 25 reasons Americans go to Australia.

[@samgirgenti518]

I am in qld, I was going to spend 2 mths in golden triangle next year, I wont go to china or vic now. No tourism $$$ going to vic.

[@RangaPirate]

They'll try and ban it outright, but the $ lost to the small towns would be devastating. Small places like Avoca, Dunnolly etc. Its time the power of the people stand up for OUR rights, and remind the government that they work for us.

[@mavv7088]

Time for Eureka mark 2

[@waynefirns6626]

There is only one way to get our rights back. That is to have all politicians, at both state and federal levels, actually adhere to their job descriptions. Which is: To take the wishes of their constituents on how they want to be governed to the parliament, where the sitting members are then required to formulate legislation to carry out the wishes of the people of Australia. At the upcoming election in May, ask all the candidates in your electorate what they believe their job description would be if they won the seat. If it is not very similar to the above, then tell them why you will not be voting for them.

[@KirbyJames-q2b]

as an Australian i learned early that its not actually my country, its my governments, and they don't want us touching their stuff. they even tell us straight up that they are saving Australia FROM Australians!

[@KarlSmith1]

What makes you think it's YOUR government?

[@whatwhyandwhos68]

I think investigation needs to be done into the difference between an individual and a corporation. I think we might find that the laws that apply to companies may not be able to be applied to the individual. Also I recall maybe back in the 90s the law changed in Australia about land owners finding gold under the surface of their soil, and that it no longer belonged to the land owner but the crown instead.

[@mattstone1983]

This is disgusting, as a new person to the detecting hobby I already found it hard enough to find clarity with places I could legally detect. This only makes it even harder to try to do the right thing. Hiding layers away in GeoVic (of which is hard enough to use anyway) is the snakiest way to enact such prohibitive changes on hobbyists.

[@HoratioFitzbastard]

Just ignore them.

[@jonathanmillichip9296]

I've always done the right thing when prospecting but the sneaky crap the government are getting away with is making me re think my good boy attitude, screw them, they are screwing people sideways and it's time people stood up

[@elizabethjoy4251]

I thought after digging deeper the other day and asking some that know... Its only for 'mining and exploration' as they state on the law no mention on your small time prospecting, gold detecting, sluicing and panning that seems to be ok. But may have to dig a little deeper.

[@goldreverre]

We need a reset in Victoria from the nanny-state rules. Can't walk in the Grampians. Drive at turtle speed. Don't collect firewood. Don't build anything or do anything until you get permission. Add fossicking this to the list of things banned.

[@andrewmorrison8394]

Slow walk into Communism

[@306champion]

I do most of the above and I say ****k em. They got to catch me first.

[@CraigFryer]

Of course you can still walk/hike in the Gariwerd National Park. You just have to stick to the designated tracks and for good reason. People just walking all over the place damages the environment that they came to see in the first place. It also greatly increases the risk of introducing harmful fungus, which can lead to the loss of habitat and death/loss of endangered wildlife. Once a fungus gets into an environment it can't be removed. There are good reasons why you can't collect "firewood" in National and some State parks. That wood serves a key purpose by remaining in the bush to provide important habitat for many small and endangered animals, plus provide a resource for native fungus that are then eaten by many animals. Remove the fallen wood, lose the animals. I don't know all the reasons why the Victorian Government has banned fossicking in many locations, but certainly it is easy to understand why they have banned panning in creeks and rivers*. Panning typically involves the disturbance to silts in the creek, which increases the turbidity in the water, lowers the oxygen levels and often releases heavy metals from historic mining activities. This is all bad news for many animals that live in the creeks and rivers, but also the many other animals that drink the water further down stream including many humans! I'm sure many people here also like to fish and would be much happier if there were fish still living in the creeks and rivers, and that eating those fish didn't make them sick due to heavy metal poisoning. *It doesn't appear that the Victorian Government has banned panning in all creeks and rivers, but they certainly should do.

[@bruce4130]

One thing after another

[@bruce4130]

@@andrewmorrison8394The pace is increasing!

[@LucaKiss70AU]

This video needs to go Viral. I fly from Italy to Australia to prospect, if they take this away from Us all, I have personally no use of visiting Australia anymore.

[@mehmettemel8725]

So you're the one stealing all the gold no wonder I couldn't find a spec in a decade.😂😂😂😂

[@LucaKiss70AU]

@@mehmettemel8725 🤣😂

[@Hossak]

Victorian government debt is heading towards 200 billion - no surprises in this :(

[@geosid1696]

If there that desperate it may be worthwhile to flattern Ballarat township and turn it in to an open superpit (WA) to recover there past corrupt funkups.

[@peterwatson9280]

That's comunest vic government 😅

[@aussiedoug85]

debts will never recover under current banking schemes, charging interest makes it impossible.

[@NoRegertsHere]

@@aussiedoug85it’s not the interest that makes it impossible. It’s poorly managed budget and lack of understanding of the ingredients that actually create a strong business environment in a state. Complete incompetence. And no plan except to tax businesses and individuals more (payroll tax and land tax increases)

[@avus-kw2f213]

Didn’t it used to be 0% ?

[@trevornugent9680]

Thanks for highlighting this!!!

[@xgrahamsmith]

Can''t prospect in Ballarat, can''t rock climb at Arapiles, can't wild camp in the Grampians. Did the covid lockdown ever actually end?

[@Timic83tc]

It just became normalized.

[@CraigFryer]

You can still walk/hike in the Gariwerd National Park. You just have to stick to the designated tracks and for good reason. People just walking and camping all over the place damages the environment that they came to see in the first place. It also greatly increases the risk of introducing harmful fungus, which can lead to the loss of habitat and death/loss of endangered wildlife. Once a fungus gets into an environment it can't be removed. As for Arapiles you can still climb it, but it looks like that might be stopped. Probably fair enough. Would you let any random person off the street climb all over the walls and roof of your house doing damage along the way? Not to mention dealing with people falling off and dying on your roof. I wouldn't. I think the owners of the Arapiles have had enough it and are putting a stop to it.

[@HoratioFitzbastard]

​@@CraigFryerWho are the owners?

[@katherinekoza6536]

@@HoratioFitzbastard At a guess ,the Aborigines of that area .

[@HoratioFitzbastard]

@katherinekoza6536 Only because the government said so.

[@Sagealeena]

Get in touch with local media, Bendigo/Ballarat news, the ABC etc. to make this known to the wider public! The state of Victoria was built on the gold rush (including my family, who ran the battery in Chewton) and we risk losing our local history with these laws.

[@DTGTDetectingTheGoldenTriangle]

This is discussing news but not surprising. Governments are out of control, i will continue to prospect where i have been doing so for decades and good luck to stopping me. Thanks for the update and information

[@reniexabbu7993]

I am in Queensland and in 2010 I learnt the replaced the laws implemented due to the Eureka Stockade and replaced them with the work health and safety laws (they didn’t work) even worse is the penalty for an injury or death on a mining tenure big company or hobbyist is around $300,000 and they are pushing the responsibility of WH&S onto the worker not the owner, (not that the hobbyist has someone else working their mine for them). And now they want to change the contract yet again, to limit mining to 15 years, and that site can never be mined again as if it’s been mined out, but you can’t do a ready to occupy application anymore, they also intend to stop us from having sufficient shade in 40+ degree temperatures because they might blow away in a storm when they set the rule everything must be temporary, as if heat stroke doesn’t come under work health and safety, it’s like they are slowly clearing the land of small miners in order to lease to a big company

[@heartobefelt]

The politicians need to be investigated to see who introduced the legislation and find out in turn who pushed them to do it ? Was it mining companies or European interests such as UN and WEF ? Australia has signed up to the UN Agenda 2030 whereby State Govternuts have converted 30 % of Australian land into Conservation , Environmental or Terrestrial Biodiversity which means that land now cannot be used to build a house nor can it be used to grow food or livestock. The reason for the S-7 exclusions may be that international financiers are trying to push for a Global Digital Currency , For that to work they will have to ban personal ownership of gold and that will include a ban on prospecting.

[@CraigFryer]

I very much doubt that any legislation needed to be passed. This sort of thing is all just regulations. The UN isn't a European interest. Go and look up the history of the UN. The UN is dominated by the USA, China, Russia (Soviet Union), UK and France. The majority of these countries are outside of Europe!

[@alistairparr5804]

Are you sure that this is correct? It's just that I contacted the relevant minister regarding this yesterday and he knows absolutely nothing about it.

[@rshep198]

I’ll bet it was stripped away overnight like the restrictions that were imposed on Queensland in the early 90s. The absolute BS I’ve had to go through in the last 12 months to be able to prospect the land I’ve had my eye on is a joke. Fight the good fight Victoria, it won’t be long and you’ll be the same as us.

[@Gumardee_coins_and_banknotes]

From Banning selling Nazi memorabilia, to Banning under 16 use of Social Media etc, Australia is becoming more repressive. Doing the right thing is what is good for you, thats how Politicians and large Companies Work.

[@aussiegoldtrolls]

Wanna lock me out? Lock me up!

[@metaldetectingfun]

Outrageous and well summed up. Great video.

[@markkilley2683]

There is some confusion going on here. Some prospectors have denied none of this is true. So where did the info come from?

[@Mitch1371Tube]

New findings around the Ballarat area have created a new gold rush after new technology disclosed gold still in area, it has been claimed. This sparked checking all of the area's you have spoken about hear. Just like you claiming a new site, nobody is allowed to mine it. The findings around Ballarat are quite deep, untouched during the the days of the old Victorian Gold Rush! I would expect this to happen all over Australia.

[@AndrewChandler-zp6nf]

That really sucks for all the people who have been able to and have been prospecting that area

[@nickydabas1622]

Bugger. Hubby and I bought a house in Bendigo a few years back and planned to retire there in four years. We have also just become interested in gold detecting and for Christmas as a surprise I have bought him a fairly expensive gold detector. I guess we will rethinking our retirement hobby 😢

[@markkilley2683]

Just look at SA. Virtually no where to fossick apart from two places. They're mining companies buying up old mines.

[@geosid1696]

I believe SA mining laws to Vic may have a restrictive clause by some useless Office pen pusher.

[@geosid1696]

Nothing new in a not so free Country/freedom of not long ago.

[@markkilley2683]

These new laws could ruin people's plans or bucket list.

[@playfordtree]

Even worse here in sth aus, legally you’re not even allowed to keep what you find, it becomes property of the state.

[@markkilley2683]

@@playfordtree It's a bit sad. No fun to be had.

[@Stonefeather53]

S7 has nothing to do with hobby prospectors! Massive misinformation here. You can prospect as usual.

[@OzGeologyOfficial]

That isn't true, unfortunately. I wish it was though. This is what is written in the description: If you scroll down to the bottom of the Vic Resources Government website, under the list of Prohibited Crown Land, this is what is written. The section that applies to S7 is the very last line. "Prohibited Crown land is land where recreational prospecting is banned and includes land that is:" The line referring to S7 is: "an area exempted from recreational prospecting or an extractive industry or otherwise exempted under the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 or any other Act." resources.vic.gov.au/licensing-approvals/fossicking/where-you-can-prospect-and-fossick The Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 is S7. resources.vic.gov.au/licensing-approvals/mineral-licences/section-7-exemptions? Here's the section that forbids it under the act. Scroll down to page 157. content.legislation.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-06/90-92aa126%20authorised.pdf Under Part 5, Division 1 on page 157, regarding recreational fossicking it is explicitly stated that such rights do not apply to land exempted under Section 7 unless specifically included. The section that states it says the following: Miner's right (1) A miner's right entitles the holder to search for minerals on any of the following land, unless the land is covered by a mining licence, prospecting licence or retention licence- (a) private land, but only with the consent of the owner or occupier; and (b) Crown land (other than land exempted under section 6, 6A or 7 of this Act or nominated under section 7(1) of the Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978). The "and" is a very important part of this, as it means both conditions must be true. If you own private land, but it falls under S7, prospecting and mining is forbidden unless an exemption is granted to you by the minister.

[@geoffbartlett8203]

I'm wondering if the "Goldfields World Heritage Sites" bid has anything to do with this. If you're still in the B/rat take this to Joe McCracken's office in Lydiard st. Upper House MP for Western Victoria. Thankyou for making me aware of this 👏👏 all well said✌️🇦🇺

[@geosid1696]

Take this to a local office of Gov....No thanks as don't have the money$$$$ enclosed envelope to hand over to these inapt corrupt $$$$ officials.

[@carlramirez6339]

Considering Australian history, prospecting is an educational tool. Sure, it's got environmental impacts (which are nothing compared to bigger mines), but it's not realistically something that a large chunk of the populace can (or want to) spend their lives doing. No one except mining companies, and maybe private prisons, would benefit from this.

[@brendanquinn6894]

Why don't you go and ask the minister who did it?

[@geosid1696]

@@brendanquinn6894 who the minister of one of many w'o'nkers

[@geosid1696]

That likely have ventured interest in these prohibited lands.....

[@heartobefelt]

thats my question too . Who is the politician who sneaked this through , and on whose request ? You might find its European interests such as UN and WEF . The reason is probably that international financiers are trying to push for a Global Digital Currency , For that to work they will have to ban personal ownership of gold and that will include a ban on prospecting.

[@paulsalvestrin7253]

The government has also closed off mount pilot national park and state forests near Beechworth a few weeks ago. Most of the track's into reedy creek have been ripped up and blocked off. I have been told that this is happening all over Victoria and is being implemented by the government under it's new treaty promises with indigenous land's councils?

[@KingGold1851]

By the time these people enforcing these new things approach you they will be out of breath. Keep prospecting there

[@carl8568]

I think it's become fairly obvious we have entered in to a period of hyperregulation. I believe it is our duty as free men and women to disregard these insane laws. What I am mindful of is, is it creating loss? Is it harming anyone?

[@geosid1696]

Might as well get rid of panning in tourist Sovereign Hill $$$$ money maker Ballarat if this whole region is banned then all legislation makers be damned. I simply will not visit Ballarat or other banned localities again....sad times.

[@geosid1696]

Those useless office pen pushers are w'o'nkers in my eyes, erhhhhhhh. No more weekend $$$$ spent in these regions/towns from me from Melbourne 😢😢🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕

[@geosid1696]

Will not visit Sovereign Hill either or the Gold museum as do every 5 years....No more pen $$$$ corrupt office w'o'nkers that have no idea to sustainability for all citizens.

[@MattyTMoo]

Not surprising given our country sold its gold for $226 per Oz… Saddens me to think that they won’t stop until all crown land is restricted

[@jribeye1818]

Funny how it seems only commercial can mine in these areas. Not the little fella just making a few bucks.

[@mehmettemel8725]

Most of us don't do it to get rich, it's just being outdoors and getting away from stresses of daily life.

[@CAS13069]

I have a property out Beechworth way that I’ve gotten some very nice topaz from but is now listed as restricted. Now it’s impossible to sell so I’m stuck with a useless piece of land.

[@fungooloo12]

Victoria in general is a basket case, police state, nanny state. It almost feels like a small prison and it is small. NSW is starting to look real good.

[@mickryan2450]

Never

[@TheSarvaks]

Let's stand our ground and message the prime.minister and threaten to vote them out

[@whatwhyandwhos68]

I noticed on old maps of my area the banks had all the gold mines in Northern Rivers .

[@BataraKado]

if you really listen between the hours of 2am - 4am in australia every now and again you hear these random deep underground thumps, ive heard them and my friends have too, alot of people notice it and think its a garbage truck or traffic etc, but when you stand outside and listen and hear it under your feet thats kinda concerning, imagine the earth atop is now illegal to gold mine, yet under ground they and digging more and more everyday, its crazy how destructive the truth of it all really is, its clear the corporations are taking over.

[@paulcox9366]

Prospectors and hunters, campers,4wds all should have gotten together. Now were all stuffed. When it's turned into national park within the next year you wont be even walking a trail. Australia is stuffed

[@BM-wi9kt]

These laws are at least 3 years old also exemptions are availiable.perhaps the areas have changed but has been in the system for quite a while. Thanks for highlighting the need to check

[@iand4835]

Does that also cover the Gold Panning at Sovereign Hill? Tourists be damned if it does.

[@aussiewanderer6304]

The government will take photos of kids panning for gold, then arrest them on the way out giving them the official title of convict. All part of the Australian historic experience.

[@michaelswanson7881]

The funny thing is, there doesn't seem to be anyone policing the regulations, I have never seen an official drongo in over a decade of prospecting.

[@ZoeWarren-o1d]

This is so sad that government just don't care 😢😢😢

[@benjaminmclennan4154]

Wrong the Government does care, but only about themselves 😂

[@lukefrost1189]

Words simply can't describe how upset this makes me.

[@darkeen1372]

Join the PMAV. They have our backs and will fight this. But they need our support. Yearly membership is only $50. A small price to pay to ensure the rights of the prospector and all other bush users. Without a united voice the government will step all over us. Thanks Daza

[@EmeraldHill-vo1cs]

@@davidsoden1649 As someone who did dredging i can see how it screwed the rivers.

[@davidsoden1649]

@@EmeraldHill-vo1cs you are very wrong there champ , sure there were a few cowboys that didn't follow the regulations like dredging into the banks but a flood did more damage, I dredged for 10 plus years before it was banned

[@andypandyAU.6669]

I agree , I am a paid up member. But the government slipped this one in without consulting any relevant people. They just want the big bucks from the big company's that don't even pay any tax at all! F@#$%*s

[@drobeofwar7588]

I was planning on going panning in some areas I did when I was a kid. I looked up the geovic list and decided it wasn't even worth leaving the house.

[@BustedknucklesProspecting]

Doesn’t help when people are out there filming themselves using highbankers in National parks.

[@StephenThompson-o2r]

Or not filling their holes in .

[@instantskincareanti-agingn6232]

Isn't this only applicable to mining and exploring?? You still should be able to detect.

[@stuartmillican1995]

There was a TV story (Landline I think ) about a Vic small time miner/farmer that has parallel to this vid . Something about old tailing site now classed as historical sites. I might have been in hospital at the time so memory is abit short

[@geosid1696]

Everything is historical nowadays. Only thing not historical is the law makers taking all our freedoms away as we continue to say NOTHING.

[@zoey6983]

His name was Darby at Swifts Creek I think

[@angmid9210]

Have you contacted your local member? It seems like it’s not entirely thought through.

[@johnkauppi7078]

We can't do this, we can't do that, we can't do anything. Just be a mindless consumer drone. Why exist at all?

[@KenshinPhoenix]

That's exactly how they want us to feel and think.

[@mehmettemel8725]

Then they will be wondering why suicides are on the rise.

[@NeilKelman-ze3we]

Half the climbing just got taken away at Mt Arapiles. Having fun in the bush will be forbidden soon.

[@billgabriel8042]

Wake up all

[@rosa9079]

Absolutely and totally disgusted with this govt.

[@timcetin372]

You will own nothing and be happy 😃 is Victoria’s new mantra

[@fil9574]

Great video. Thanks for sharing

[@bigboigusytheboys4]

That’s a disgrace I grew up in Ballarat born a raised and some of my favourite memories are going with my father out panting and detecting the fact that a civil war almost broke out for miners rights and now there taking them back bloody joke

[@OzGeologyOfficial]

Totally agree with you mate. It's an absolute joke of the worst kind. I'm sorry if it's put a dampener on your mood considering you have fond memories prospecting there.

[@bigboigusytheboys4]

@ honestly less of a damper more of a deep down anger for the fact as a people we have become gutless and allowing these corporations and government to walk over us and take back the rights that once brave and frustrated men fought for honestly just over watching our country go down the toilet as a 22 year old I’m disgusted beyond frustrated watching this crap happen but sadly that’s the way it is no one’s gunna grow the balls to stand as a country and fight for our rights

[@craigroaring]

I would argue that their move to restrict prospecting in the area serves only to increase the the interest.

[@marksherry6589]

At risk with this information I will be. I was aware of this situation somewhat sketchily. I happened to follow Stavely situation closely. It's a pity people only become aware of Govt over reach when it directly impacts them.But people need to realise this is real,broad and deliberate for a larger purpose. May I bring your attention also to the rock climbing fraternity as well. Mt Arapiles among other sites(Ayres Rock) can no longer be climbed due to Govt agreed cultural sensitivity. Hate to suggest but even our indigenous our still used as an excuse to satisfy an agenda. There are properties on sale offer to the public on the border of Grampians National Park that are priced as house and land packages $$$ but if you buy you find you can't use any of the acreage because of Govt Bureaucratic crap. You are right in you video to expose this over reach I just want you to be aware it's far broader than you know and I can't explain further the agenda behind it all. They imprison people in England for what I've written. "Misinformation" much. If I had your email I would happily chat.

[@BarryGordons]

I give it about 5 years absolute tops before Australia ends up like the UK is right now. Too many braindead morons will fall for the ALP / LNP BS illusion of choice. . Both parties are WEF / Globalist / Multinational Whores. Whether its Labor's Green energy BS or Dutton's Nuclear BS - etc - all Multinational / WEF scams. The Masses will fall for it and this country will once again become a prison. just like it was in 1788. - Right now the foundations for the walls are being laid. Next government will start erecting the walls. Then its too late.

[@toridunn9586]

My property falls within the Stavely block. I attended a meeting and met the media spokes people for Stavely. Locals are very much opposed to Stavely (Brimpaen / Laharum / Wartook etc). WIM resources is opening the Avonbank mine near Dooen in the near future, as the EES has been satisfied. Meanwhile, the State through their Agents initiate a 'culture war' around Mount Arapiles climbing access and BGLC signs off on permits to harm for Chinese mining corporations to extract our mineral wealth and line the pockets of foreign investors.

[@marksherry6589]

@toridunn9586 correct. You are really up against it when your property is involved. I bet you've noticed also some new and old gravel roads in northern Grampians are made or upgraded to a superior condition than any bitumen roads for the established farm and town communities. Complete with curb and Chanel with well made concrete bus pads. Many natural water crossing are also concreted for yearly (buses) access.We don't mention government camera set ups as well. Where did the funding come from for these initiatives?

[@taniaw3907]

SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!!!!!!! SACK ALL GOVERNMENT. THEY RULE FOR MONEY NOT THE PEOPLE

[@randombeel9472]

Parks victoria have also torn up/ripped up and blocked several tracks along reedy creek/ woolshed valley and saying that they are unauthorised tracks that have only appeared in the last few years and they are 'revegitating' these tracks, which is a load of bull, most of the torn up tracks have been there 50 years plus

[@katherinekoza6536]

And i would like to see what happens if the Firey's can't to go down those tracks to put a bush fire out then what ?? Nice one Parks Victoria .

[@galahad6001]

Wow .. bloody shocking .. where are the media