Rockhampton Mayor fossicking for more Gold in Mount Morgan

Published on 13 October 2021

Fossicking for gold.jpg

Mayor Tony Williams knows “thar’s more gold in them thar hills” and has written to the Minister for the Department of Resources for the creation of General Permission Areas in three locations in the Mount Morgan District.

A General Permission Area or GPA provides permission for fossickers to traverse identified parcels of land to seek minerals such as gold or other items such as old coins.

Mount Morgan has a reputation of being one of the world’s most lucrative gold finds in history with approx. 232 tonnes of gold extracted from the district since the 1880’s.

Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said with such a rich history in gold, Mount Morgan has a strong brand that the Council and the Mount Morgan community wants to harness to build fossicking and tourism opportunities.

“Fossicking will be a great tourism product for the Rockhampton region, families can enjoy treasure-hunting trips in Mount Morgan,” Mayor Williams said.

Advance Rockhampton Executive Manager Greg Bowden said the establishment of GPA’s in Mount Morgan will bring economic benefit to the district and the Rockhampton region.

“Opening GPA’s will attract visitors, creating a new tourism product for the Rockhampton region and bring additional economic impact to Mount Morgan,” Mr Bowden said.

“If a declaration of GPA’s is made, my team here at Advance Rockhampton will work closely with the Department of Resources, MMPAD and Mount Morgan tourism and accommodation providers to actively promote and market this as the new golden tourism destination.”

For more information about fossicking in Queensland visit: www.qld.gov.au/recreation/activities/fossicking  

For more information about historic Mount Morgan visit: https://www.explorerockhampton.com.au/Explore/Mount-Morgan

ENDS