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Queensland Events COVID Preamble:

Due to recent changes in government restrictions, Queensland reviewers and HQ are pleased to announce that Events can start to happen through a phase-in period. This means we have a few extra restrictions for events locally, which are outlined below.

From 17 Nov 2020, events of up to 50 people can happen without a COVID-Safe Plan of any sort. However, we must assume that geocaching events will be required to cater for more attendees than that (on average, Queensland events have 80-90 attendees). Thus, notice that you as the Event Owner will comply with government guidelines regarding COVID-Safe Events of that will be required to accompany all geocaching event submissions to ensure public safety and due diligence under the government restrictions. This may include things such as the COVID-Safe Checklist.

“Please keep in mind that geocaches must comply with all applicable laws, including health and safety guidelines. Event cache owners are responsible for ensuring the number of people in attendance is in accordance with any requirements or restrictions for gatherings” - Geocaching Terms of Use

Below we’ve supplied what you will likely need to comply with government restrictions. It is recommended you read through the literature and take care in planning your event, and while the responsibility is yours, the reviewers would like to see in a Reviewer Note the steps you have taken/will take to keep your event and the community safe.

Remember, the reviewers are here to help, so if you ask us, and work with us, we can assist to make your event happen. If you have questions, or want to let us know of restrictions changes, please do send us an email or contact us through geocaching.com

Cheers,
Ministro - Matt
Jingeri - Thomas

The Queensland Government COVID-Safe Requirements:

The Queensland Government outlines the rules covering gatherings in the state. Start here and read through the information. Geocaching.com events with 80 (or more) people are classified under COVID-Safe Events as a 'Category Three Event'. Thus, you will probably need to:

• Complete and adhere to the COVID Safe Event Checklist.
• Assume there will be 80+ people at your event, regardless of time or location. Also note that Event Owners are not permitted to turn people away from their event.

Additional Requirements For Geocaching Events:

Because we are phasing in the ability to hold events in Queensland, we also ask that your event:

• Must be held outdoors and with permission of the land owner, and
• Any COVID plan must be completed by the listed Event Owner.

Also,

• If the government reapplies restrictions on gatherings we will archive or retract events if they are no longer able to proceed.
• Events can be submitted that will be held from 14 days from the date of this notice being published, and
• Given the extra time that will be required to review and work with Event Owners, it is suggested to submit your event as far in advance as you can.

National Parks and State Forests

QPWS allow Geocaching in their managed areas with permission. Here is their Geocaching on QPWS managed areas operational policy.

Geocaching Activity Guidelines have also been developed to provide guidance for QPWS staff and geocachers on issues such as appropriate cache size, length of cache placement, and approval process. The policy and guidelines were modelled on those from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife to achieve some cross-border consistency.

The first step after reading these policies is to find your local ranger, should you be unsure who it is that is responsible for an area you can email the QPWS enquiry centre info@nprsr.qld.gov.au

The following flowchart describes the process your application will follow.

Key Points:

• • This policy applies to all physical geocaches. (Events require separate permission)
  • The maximum term of approval for a traditional cache to placed in a QPWS managed area is 5 years.
  • Apart from Geocoins, no other trade or trophy items (including Travel Bugs) can be placed in the cache.
  • The cache listing must contain some minimum information before it can be published.

The Tourism and Visitor Management Unit of QPWS would like to give special thanks to ruzzelz who represented the geocaching community for his input during the development of the policy and guidelines.

To find out boundaries for lands managed by QPWS you can use the Queensland Globe portal.

Application Form

Information Sheet