NSW Proposed National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2009

[+The Spindoctors]

If you are not already aware, NSW Parks and Wildlife Service has a draft of its Proposed National Parks and Wildlife Regulation 2009 available online at http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/legislat...eRegulation.htm

 

Of particular interest is Clause 11: Littering and damage.

 

It is currently an offence to deposit or leave any litter or waste in a park. A minor amendment is proposed whereby 'containers' will be listed amongst the items defined as waste. This will assist in the enforcement of the Regulation in relation to persons leaving waste in a park as well as in relation to activities that involve leaving objects or containers in parks for indefinite periods of time, such as 'geocaching' which is an activity that DECC does not allow in parks as a matter of policy.

 

The development of this document is outside of the negotiations Geocaching NSW has been having with NPWS and has most likely been included to bring the regulation in line with the 2002 policy on geocaching.

 

Having said that, we are concerned that geocaching has been highlighted and we will be putting forward a submission to ask that that reference be removed.

 

We also ask geocachers to read through the section mentioned above and lodge their own submissions to NPWS.

 

You may wish to include positives stories about your personal experiences with geocaching and how it has encouraged you to experience more of your natural surroundings.

 

The closing date for submissions is 27 March 2009.

 

Send your submission to:

National Parks and Wildlife Regulation Review

Manager

Conservation Operations Section

Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW

PO Box 1967

Hurstville NSW 1481

or email info@environment.nsw.gov.au.