Moorina fossicking devastation
• The Moorina fossicking campsite area last year prior to earthworks undertaken to stop squatters.
• The Moorina site after a Sustainable Timber Tasmania contractor completed works earlier this year.
By Taylor Clyne
August 12, 2020
The once peaceful, green camping space nestled next to the Weld River in Moorina has been the victim of destruction in an interesting bid to discourage squatters who were taking up residence at the site.
For decades the area has been used by keen fossickers from around the state searching for sapphires, zircon and topaz, often with families staying the weekend to experience nature at its best.
Long-time user Jules Nicholas said he was horrified to see the site had been completely ripped up when he went for a day trip with his family earlier this month.
“I was absolutely appalled to see trees uprooted, branches everywhere, massive holes dug into the 4wd accessing tracks and general destruction,” he said.
“We’ve been fossicking there for a number of years, it's one of the only places in the North-East that you don’t require a license.
“I’d previously heard there were issues at the start of lockdown but couldn’t quite believe the devastation, I couldn’t even access it with my larger 4wd and my family and I were forced to squeeze a spot on the side of the road, there was dust going all over our lunch from trucks using the road it was quite disappointing.
“It was very sad to see this beautiful camping area absolutely destroyed like this; many of us just want to know why and if it's going to be returned to its former glory,” Mr Nicholas said.
Furthermore, now that access has been restricted to Moorina, many fossickers have been spreading their wings to other riverbanks which don’t have the foundations for regular use.
“There are some really untouched spots which required a license that people are using without the appropriate permissions and unfortunately some are being damaged from overuse.”
Mr Nicholas explained the Moorina fossicking site is all bed rock which makes it hard to hurt the banks of the river.
“It’s a naturally rich area that after a good rain it replenishes itself, the bed rock makes it great for fossickers and campers.
“We hope it's fixed up because lots of semi-retired people like to enjoy that area, you can do a lot of self-healing on the banks of the Weld River.”
A Sustainable Timber Tasmania (STT) spokesperson said the informal campsite associated with the Moorina fossicking area is located on Permanent Timber Production Zone land managed by STT.
“Following inappropriate camping use including impingement on private property, access was restricted to the areas for camping earlier in 2020.
“STT is continuing to conduct further rehabilitation work on the site prior to summer,” the spokesperson said.
It’s understood the works completed was quite overzealous and STT are now working to level the earthworks out and maintain the block on the entrance whilst the grass takes hold again.