GCA listings of caches in areas where geocaching is banned

Geocaching Australia governance issues

Should GCA STOP listing new caches in banned zones?

Yes
158
64%
No
89
36%
 
Total votes: 247

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homedg
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Re: GCA listings of caches in areas where geocaching is banned

Post by homedg » 22 March 10 11:15 pm

richary wrote:I think given the technical limitations of the data we have that is the sensible course, and probably would have led to a different vote from the geocaching community if we had realised that at the start.

I don't know if it is possible or desirable to check the data we have when a cache is listed and if within a reasonable distance from a boundary ask the cacher "is this outside the NP" before permitting listing. If they lie then it is on their heads so to speak and the site has done what it can. That's probably a new ammo can of worms though!
I agree, a whole new can of worms. The vote has been cast and people can make thier own "free and open" decisions.
Now, Let's cache. :lol:

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Cheesy pigs
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Re: GCA listings of caches in areas where geocaching is banned

Post by Cheesy pigs » 22 March 10 11:37 pm

homedg wrote:I agree, a whole new can of worms. The vote has been cast and people can make thier own "free and open" decisions.
Now, Let's cache. :lol:
YAY

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Richary
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Re: GCA listings of caches in areas where geocaching is banned

Post by Richary » 23 March 10 12:06 am

I agree, let's cache.

Should have worded my previous message about asking the cacher if it was in a National Parks Zone as a warning to them. If they tick yes it is still listed but the warning comes up on the listing and it is up to others as to whether to go find it.

That maintains free and open, but the hider is making the decision rather than the site while giving them a fair warning. Tick yes and you get given a link to why the hide is a bad idea (and illegal). And in some ways absolves the site of the responsibility of the cache placement.

That said, I would still like to see the warning in downloaded GPX files in GSAK, as I very rarely check the online cache page before going to find something. The data is on my hard disk, why check - unless it is a really tricky one that a newer log might shed some light on.

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The Spindoctors
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Re: GCA listings of caches in areas where geocaching is banned

Post by The Spindoctors » 29 March 10 2:06 pm

caughtatwork wrote:The summary is on this webpage.
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/polic ... policy.htm

The summary does NOT accurately reflect the policy in one key point.

Paragraph 9.
Geocaching is not permitted in protected areas managed by the NPWS.
I have put in bold the key word in that sentence.

I would assume that protected vs. managed for NSW P&WS is the same.

Geocaching is not permitted in protected areas managed by the NPWS.
Justin (Lucy and Roo) and I have sought clarification on this. Justin has already heard back and the answer is as per C@W's assumption.

I suspected the same. If you go to http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/parkt ... fParks.htm you'll see all 11 categories fall under the Protected Areas heading.

As such, the ban still applies to all NPWS managed areas. The exception is multis whereby the GZ is outside the boundary and the waypoints consist of existing structures (i.e. reading information from information boards, signage, etc.)

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Re: GCA listings of caches in areas where geocaching is banned

Post by ruzzelz » 29 March 10 8:38 pm

Same applies to Queensland where the QPWS effectively prevent any form of geocaching (including virtual). :-k

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Big Matt and Shell
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Re: GCA listings of caches in areas where geocaching is banned

Post by Big Matt and Shell » 29 March 10 8:47 pm

ruzzelz wrote:Same applies to Queensland where the QPWS effectively prevent any form of geocaching (including virtual). :-k
How do you ban a virtual? Do they stop all tourists from visiting these areas? Sorry folks, no pictures allowed of the Story Bridge... :?

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ruzzelz
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Re: GCA listings of caches in areas where geocaching is banned

Post by ruzzelz » 31 March 10 8:53 pm

Big Matt and Shell wrote:
ruzzelz wrote:Same applies to Queensland where the QPWS effectively prevent any form of geocaching (including virtual). :-k
How do you ban a virtual? Do they stop all tourists from visiting these areas? Sorry folks, no pictures allowed of the Story Bridge... :?
Valid point but QPWS are regarding geocaching as an activity (like rogaining) and hence placing restrictions on the "activity" of geocaching. #-o [-(

Hopefully the first step is to move to acceptance of the activity and then phase in acceptance of additional aspects of the experience of geocaching. [-o<

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Re: GCA listings of caches in areas where geocaching is banned

Post by caughtatwork » 31 March 10 9:21 pm

From the what's new on GCA thread.
caughtatwork wrote:Geocaching in Banned Zones

In light of the discussion and outcomes of this thread http://forum.geocaching.com.au/viewtopi ... 24&t=13679, we have made a small change to the cache page.

If a cache is determined to be in a banned geocaching zone based on the zone data we have available, a warning is output to the cache page and the cache details are initially hidden from view.

You may reveal the cache details by clicking on the link Show Cache Details at the bottom of the warning.

This will reveal the cache details.

While it is not a perfect solution, it does imply that you have read the warning (even if you had to read it just to work out how to show the cache details) and therefore take the accountability upon yourself should you wish to seek the cache.

This is standard javascript code for hide / reveal a hidden <div>, so if you find a bug in this function, please start a new thread highlighting your operating system and browser, including version, so we can debug.

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Re: GCA listings of caches in areas where geocaching is banned

Post by geoskid » 01 April 10 10:16 pm

They can not prevent a virtual - full stop!! And, why should they!!
A Virtual is not caching,. it is information gatherinng at worst.
I draw the line personally, and it is at virtuals. No matter what happens
anywhere (in any state) geocaching can continue in a meaningfull way via the means of a virtual.
Thoughts?

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Re: GCA listings of caches in areas where geocaching is banned

Post by The Spindoctors » 01 April 10 10:19 pm

geoskid wrote:They can not prevent a virtual - full stop!!
They are not banned in NSW
http://www.geocachingnsw.asn.au/index.p ... march-2009

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Re: GCA listings of caches in areas where geocaching is banned

Post by geoskid » 01 April 10 10:29 pm

Spindoc Bob wrote:
geoskid wrote:They can not prevent a virtual - full stop!!
They are not banned in NSW
http://www.geocachingnsw.asn.au/index.p ... march-2009
Hi Spindoc - Thanks, havn't read yet, however I think it will read that there are ways to present a virtual that is none of the business of a Parks and Wildlife Service in any State.

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Re: GCA listings of caches in areas where geocaching is banned

Post by geoskid » 01 April 10 10:53 pm

Have now followed your link, thanks. Look, makes sense, but do you have any experience in herding cats. How is it going to work?
Virtuals can be the way forward, as long as one needs to use their GPS to find info. Virtuals dont need to be 'Claytons Caches'.

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CraigRat
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Re: GCA listings of caches in areas where geocaching is banned

Post by CraigRat » 02 April 10 4:19 am

geoskid wrote: Virtuals can be the way forward, as long as one needs to use their GPS to find info. Virtuals dont need to be 'Claytons Caches'.
Which is why I'm glad we still allow them.
For better or worse, I can see that geocaching is going to get more and more 'virtual' as things progress and the hiding of actual containers is going to get harder and harder as land managers (councils/NPWS and such) gradually implement policies.

I do think gc's banning of virtuals as being a poor move on their behalf. (Locationless caches are another story though. I understand why they spun it out to waymarking).

I'm happy to do a good virt if it's in a decent spot.

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ruzzelz
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Re: GCA listings of caches in areas where geocaching is banned

Post by ruzzelz » 02 April 10 5:35 am

geoskid wrote:They can not prevent a virtual - full stop!! And, why should they!!
A Virtual is not caching,. it is information gatherinng at worst.
I draw the line personally, and it is at virtuals. No matter what happens
anywhere (in any state) geocaching can continue in a meaningfull way via the means of a virtual.
Thoughts?
Sorry to disappoint but in particular the NP laws in each state allow the parks authorities to lock-up areas and if necessary exclude access. =; Hence for special restricted areas and scientific areas the geocaching communitity needs to realise we are subject to the same restrictions as every other person in Australia. [-X

If it is a no go zone or one requiring a special access permit, placing a virtual cache in that type of location is NOT responsible geocaching. :-k

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