*NEW BRIGALOW GPA OPENED*
After many long years of community advocacy and finally achieved through a mediated Land Court objection settlement process, the long-awaited BRIGALOW GPA in the Blair Athol State Forest is finally OPEN!
Located to the west of McMasters GPA, this new GPA adds 500ha to the exisiting 11 GPAs in State Forests and Council lands around Clermont, cementing the region as the recreational prospecting capital of Queensland!
See our FaceBook page for the full story behind the complex legal process to open this first citizen-initiated State Forest GPA.
DES Media Release: New Fossicking Area in Blair Athol State Forest
Location: Brigalow GPA Map and make sure to update the Trilobite app 'Fossicking Areas' data layer
| GPA | Status | Notices |
|---|---|---|
| Bathampton | OPEN | Leave gates as found. Remove all rubbish. Refill all holes |
| Birimgan (East) | OPEN | Leave gates as found. Remove all rubbish. Refill all holes |
| Birimgan (West) | OPEN | Leave gates as found. Remove all rubbish. Refill all holes |
| Black Ridge | OPEN |
Leave gates as found. Remove all rubbish. Refill all holes |
| Brigalow | OPEN | Leave gates as found. Remove all rubbish. Refill all holes |
| Bottom Apsley | CLOSED | Permanent closure from 1st of March 2018 |
| Flat Diggings Reserve | OPEN | Leave gates as found. Remove all rubbish. Refill all holes |
| Four Mile (East) | OPEN |
Leave gates as found. Remove all rubbish. Refill all holes |
| Four Mile (West) | OPEN | Leave gates as found. Remove all rubbish. Refill all holes |
| McDonald Flat | OPEN | Leave gates as found. Remove all rubbish. Refill all holes |
| McMasters | OPEN | Leave gates as found. Remove all rubbish. Refill all holes |
| Museum Reserve | OPEN | Leave gates as found. Remove all rubbish. Refill all holes |
| Town Reserve | OPEN |
Leave gates as found. Remove all rubbish. Refill all holes |
Last updated 17/08/2024
Opened 25th October 2019
NEW COUNCIL GPA FOR CLERMONT
FLAT DIGGINGS RESERVE
New GPAs proposed by The Outback Prospector and a concerted effort by Isaac Regional Council and local DNRME officers has resulted in the first Council managed GPA to be opened in 21 years!
New Flat Diggings Reserve GPA map here https://bit.ly/341vpr8
Google Maps navigation: 
https://goo.gl/maps/aCNKYLoB25S6g7T5A
New GPA Conditions here: https://bit.ly/2JiZcE4
Recreational prospectors visiting Clermont can currently only access approx 20% of available State Forest due to broken State Forest access laws, which is unfair, un-Australian and threatens the future of tourism in our area.
Under current laws, permission must be granted for declaration of a GPA in State Forest (which is public land) from both the grazing leaseholder and QPWS, which can be withdrawn at any time, without reason or warning. All other permitted recreational bush users can access 100% of QLD State Forest (4WD, motorbike, MTB riders and bushwalkers) without needing permission from the grazing leaseholder.
Our message is simple:
RESPECT our Resource Heritage
SUPPORT Outback Tourism
UNLOCK the gate to QLD State Forests for recreational prospecting and fossicking activities.
Lodge your complaint with Queensland Resources Ministers Scott Stewart and Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon to demand "why does the QLD Fossicking Act discriminate against recreational prospectors from enjoying this licenced recreational activity in QLD State Forest like any other permitted recreational activity? Please fix broken State Forest access laws for prospectors."
Dept Resources https://www.resources.qld.gov.au/forms/complaints-form
DES/QPWS https://www.des.qld.gov.au/contactus/feedback-forms/feedback-form-complaint#section-6
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FOSSICKING KITS NO LONGER REQUIRED
Isaac Regional Council advice is that as from 25th August 2017, there is no longer a requirement to purchase a Fossicking Kit to access Clermont GPAs. Please call Council office 1300 47 22 27 for any enquiries or see http://bit.ly/2wOaeJW
Read more about Maps and Resources here
PLEASE NOTE As from 1st July 2019, The Outback Prospector & Clermont Caravan Park have withdrawn as DNRME agents for QLD Fossicking Licences.
To buy Qld Fossicking Licence, purchase online https://bit.ly/2sPtyox
*Respect livestock, property, the environment and your fellow prospectors at all times.*
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Two new GPAs in Blair Athol State Forest, Clermont
OPENED Friday 30th March 2018
Birimgan (West) 1827 ha
Access via Brigalow, Laglan or Western Creek Road
Four Mile (West) 2520 ha
Access via Laglan Road opposite Brigalow Road
*Note land excluded from GPA around infrastructure (shed and cattle yards) on Four Mile GPAs. At all times please respect landholders privacy, livestock and property when traversing GPAs.*
- New signage is now in place - all obsolete Forestry signage to be removed
- Traverse new GPAs via existing gates and access tracks
- Take greater care during exploratory drives and whilst prospecting through unfamiliar country eg. use of GPS and/or two way radio to ensure personal safety.
- Exercise care around old workings and mineshafts
- Report any observed issues to QPWS Clermont office 07 4983 1211 eg. trees across tracks or fences, dangerous shafts, injured animals etc
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Advice re closure of Bottom Apsley GPA 01.03.18
QPWS advice: "There is no impediment in the Fossicking Act 1994 for an owner to withdraw permission for fossicking to occur and from the 01 March 2018 general permission to allow fossicking with the Bottom Apsley GPA has been withdrawn. Subsequently the Bottom Apsley GPA within the Blair Athol State Forest is permanently closed. This means that fossicking is not permitted but it does not restrict access to the State forest for other appropriate recreational purposes."
Please complete our GPA Awareness Survey to provide feedback to local Council and government departments and support our efforts to increase access to Clermont's State Forests for recreational prospectors.
https://goo.gl/forms/XAtOdK2tfNaKtjIh2
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For advice about the current status of Clermont GPAs in State Forests, please contact the following government offices:
Ranger in Charge – Clermont Base - Capricornia
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Department Environment and Sciences
Ph: 07 4983 1211
10 Jambina Street, Clermont, 4721 | PO Box 468, Clermont, QLD, 4721
Principal Mining Registrar - Small Scale Mining Hub
Mining and Petroleum Operations | Minerals & Energy Resources
Department of Resources
Ph: 07 4987 9372
99 Hospital Road, Emerald QLD 4720 | PO Box 245, Emerald, QLD 4720
Resources.Info@dnrme.qld.gov.au
Engagement and Compliance
Divisional Support | Georesources
Department of Natural Resources, Mines & Energy