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A move to block future residential claims made by the Lightning Ridge Miners Association and endorsed by the Lightning Ridge Mining Board was opposed by the Working Group for Camps on Claims, chaired by Peter Downes, Department of Planning.
“The recommendations were considered by the group but there were a number of very good reasons to stick to the planning already in train,” said Mr Downes.
“In particular, we have enjoyed the confidence of the community. We have no idea of the scale of any potential problem and any considerations we make will be made honestly rather than through the back door,” he said.
The process of acquiring available properties as a simplified means of administering the mining fields was struck a blow at the Working Party meeting.
It was revealed that the area encompassing the Nine Mile Field is being purchased by a miner.
It was hoped that this area may have been purchased from the substantial pool ($300,000 plus) set aside for this purpose.
“At present our lawyers have not been able to devise a workable mechanism for purchases to proceed,” said Mr Downes.
“It may be that a trust or other body eg Walgett Shire Council may provide that mechanism and we are pursuing all options,” he continued.
The community confidence Mr Downes speaks of is backed up with accumulated miners’ funds to support the workability of the scheme.
These funds will continue to grow and are part of the positive planning initiated by the Working Party and proposed previously by the Residential Claims Committee, both striving over a 10 year span for the best possible solution.
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