Beach rocks

[Isitangus]

Just spending this heatwave on the NSW south coast and have noticed a number of rocks which I could envisage using probably for RORbut also suiseki. Are there any issues associated with rocks collected from salt water areas's? I currently have a few soaking in fresh water which is being changed regularly?

[alpineart]

Hi Isitangus , i don't know of any actual laws but the authorities frown on collecting anything from public beaches and or public waterways , be it rocks or coral even if it is washed up . In Victoria you can't legally collect cuttle fish , or up here picking paper daisies , yet they slash the daisies on the road sides , its different rules for different states . I had permission to collect 4 rocks from the resort Island in QLD , got back to Melbourne Airport and did i get the stick for trying to bring coral in to Victoria even though it was declared . They were shown the note giving permission but all was confiscated . Bloody silly because i can post the stuff in the mail and you can but this stuff in shops up there on the mainland .

I have a prospecting license , however it is illegal to prospect within 20m of a public waterway , and this law dates back to 1887 yet the use of a pan with a license is legal , your just not allowed to rip up the stream beds manually or mechanically . They don't enforce it and sell licenses to do it , however if you get caught with a dredge they can and will take you equipment including your vehicle and your loot .

The laws are there to protect people from going out a getting loads of material and selling it , to take a rock or two is not really a crime , costs more to punish , however they do punish environmental vandals seeking to destroy the environment by taking loads of material .

Hope this helps

[Damian Bee]

I think Alpine just about wraps that one up.
If you are soaking gone salt out in fresh water for the recommended time you should be right

[Isitangus]

Thanks for the info alpine. I'm not looking to collect large amounts of rock nor rocks I can't comfortably carry in one hand, I'm also not looking to disturb coral etc. the rocks ive noticed are part of a recent break wall addition. I'm more curious at any issues re health Implications to plants etc from the rocks being exposed to salt water?

[alpineart]

Hi Insitangus , plenty of plants grow in salt water and on the coastal are's , soaking will dilute some of the salt however a lot can remain . I have used sand purchased from a quarry 200klms inland to find its full of salt , and no good for concrete not too good on my bonsai either , Yet i have grown plants on coastal sandstone , limestone and coral without soaking . I don't think its a major issue , bit like lime in cement it doesn't seem to effect my bonsai except Azalea's and i don't put lime anywhere near them anyway . I can't see it being a major issue .

Cheers Alpine

[Isitangus]

Thanks again!