Lightning Ridge Area Opal Reserve

The battle against two of the biggest environmental headaches on the Lightning Ridge Opal Fields - Hudson pear and feral pests - will continue after almost $150,000 in state funding was secured for ongoing control programs.

The funding, announced through the NSW Government’s Crown Reserves Improvement Fund, includes $106,146 for Hudson pear and invasive cactus management and a further $42,614 for pest control across the opal fields.

Lightning Ridge Area Opal Reserve Land Management Coordinator Victoria Lugovoy said the funding would allow work already showing positive results to continue.

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Recently Hands On Learning students from Lightning Ridge Central School visited the Wandella Education & Research Hub to collect firewood for this week’s NAIDOC Week celebrations at the school. 🪵🔥

The students loaded a trailer with firewood that will be used as part of the week’s activities, while also enjoying some time outdoors and working together as a team.

The Hands On Learning program visits Wandella each week, giving students the opportunity to learn in a different environment through practical, hands-on activities that build confidence, skills and teamwork.

Big thanks to everyone involved, and we hope everyone enjoys the NAIDOC Week celebrations! ❤️🖤💛

Today LRAOR representatives attended an opal fields stakeholder meeting convened by Roy Butler MP’s office, bringing together Crown Lands, NSW Resources, Transport for NSW, Walgett Shire Council, the recently formed Grawin Progress Association, local mining associations and other stakeholders to discuss roads, water security and infrastructure across the opal fields.

For LRAOR, the priorities remain clear: maintaining safe and accessible roads and improving water infrastructure to support residents, miners, businesses, visitors and emergency services.

Road funding and maintenance were discussed at length, including future funding opportunities and priorities across the opal fields. LRAOR welcomed clarification from NSW Resources that the Opal Fields Road Fund Levy is administered by NSW Resources and applications can be made by organisations and individuals.

A major focus of discussion was improving water security for the Grawin, Glengarry and Sheepyard communities. LRAOR has advocated for several years for the extension of the bore line to strengthen community water supply and improve access to water during bushfire emergencies.

Given the history of significant bushfire events across the opal fields, we continue to believe that improving access to water on both sides of the Grawin opal fields is an important community safety priority to help protect residents, homes and support firefighting operations when required.

In 2024, LRAOR secured funding to install the 130,000-litre community water tank at Club in the Scrub, providing an important additional water source for both community and firefighting purposes. While this was an important step forward, further improvements remain a priority.

We appreciate the opportunity to work collaboratively with government, Council and community stakeholders and look forward to continuing discussions that deliver practical outcomes for the people who live and work on the opal fields.

We also thank Walgett Shire Council for hosting the meeting at the newly renovated Kookaburra Court, which is shaping up as a valuable shared community facility for the district.

Roy Butler MP Walgett Shire Council The Western Herald