So was pinging away in the park shown as I knew a previous test showed it was good for surface goldies. I noticed the Hobart council white ute pull up and watch me as I dug my last two targets before finishing and sitting down on the bench. The female driver got out and approached me and advised that she was there to investigate a complaint about someone with a metal detector digging up the park. At this point I detailed my process for removing a plug and retrieving a target (trash or other) and opened my bag to illustrate my point showing the trash that was being removed. I also encouraged her to try and find a single hole that she might have thought was of concern. As she had walked in she was paying particular attention to the ground and knew that this would have been a futile exercise so she declined. Her response was that they had several recent concerns regarding fossickers in the parks and went on to say that the plugs dry at a higher rate and create dry sinkholes that are a tripping hazard. She went on to say that I would need to apply for a permit to dig any park and was sure that I would most likely be successful. I asked why she was certain that I would most likely be given a permit to create tripping hazards in public parks and could see the smoke coming out of her ears as she tried to come up with an answer that that didnt confuse her limited small minded bureaucratic ability to identify the cause rather than the symptoms. With TV shows promoting detecting and good machines being more affordable there will continue to be more fossickers - fact. We need to come up with an idea to keep everyone happy because if that f#%^tard thinks I am applying for a permit every time I go out shes dreaming. (Sorry if that offends anyones delicate disposition) I would be prepared to suggest an application process that involves submitting a short video and explanation regarding digging plugs and trash removal etc that would be valid for 12 months at a nominal fee. Park nazis could attend if there is a complaint from someone who has f#%^all idea about what is happening and ask to see their permit. If nazi is happy with what they see, they can contact the complainant and advise accordingly. If the fossicker has not been behaving responsibly the nazi could retain/cancel the permit effective immediately and the person be fined if they are caught on crown land again without their permit. I look forward to hearing other thought on finding a mutually beneficial solution to what is obviously going to be an ongoing issue.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Mar 2014 05:34:12 +0000