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Relinquishing control of the Permissive Occupancy by Walgett Shire Council is part of the overall plan which will see a successful conclusion to Stages I and II of the “Camps on Claims” issue being pursued by joint representatives of the Department of Planning, Department of Land and Water Conservation, Department Mineral Resources and Walgett Shire Council.
This joint interdepartmental committee proposed that the Shire relinquish control in favour of a trust or similar body to give a broader mix of Government and community organisations the joint responsibility for its management.
Mayor Peter Waterford, was quick to point out that he would never wish to see it revert back to Crown Land
knowing the implications this may create.
Recommendations made by Matthew Goodwin, Manager Developmental Services, were endorsed by Council.
Council resolved to write to the Department of Land and Water Conservation to advise Walgett Shire Council is willing to relinquish Permissive Occupancy 1985/19 immediately, provided that:
(a) Opal mining, prospecting and processing activities continue as the primary land uses;
(b) Mining camps and tourism remain as secondary land uses;
(c) Walgett Shire Council is represented on any trust or advisory bodies established to manage the land that was part of the Permissive Occupancy Area.
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