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The introduction of the 1973 Mining Act brought with it considerable unrest.
For miners it sounded the death knell for their Miners Rights and their desperation and hostility flowed over to their historic protest march held in April 1974.
To quell some of that unrest in 1974, the Minister for Mines, Wal Fife, set up the Lightning Ridge Advisory Committee. It’s charter was “to advise the Minister for Mineral Resources on how it is best to generate or develop adequate liaison between the Department, and other bodies, groups, or individuals, likely to have a direct influence on, or be directly influenced by the current and future development of the opal fields”.
“As a responsible and unbiased organisation, the Committee is obliged to consider not only the interests of miners, but of all other organisations and individuals which may be affected by its deliberations,” quotes the Lightning Flash Newspaper 7/6/84.
Mr Jim Lawrie headed the committee which comprised representatives of various Departments, such as the LRMA, Ridge residents, Department Mineral Resources, Walgett Shire Council, L.G.P.A., Western Lands Commission and Namoi Valley County Council.
The Lightning Ridge Advisory Committee made regular news contributions creating good public awareness. This was an effective tool for many years.
The group has since been disbanded in favour of the current Mining Board.
The Black Opal Advocate would be happy to report on Mining Board meetings, however, the press is excluded.
They would also be keen to learn if the charter instituted by a wise Minister for Mines during troubled times has been carried forward?
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