Managing Crown Land for the Community
See what we have been up to below
Important update for the opal mining community
The NSW Government has released its response to the Independent Review of Small-Scale Titles, supporting 74 of 81 recommendations.
Key changes proposed for small-scale mining areas include:
🔹 Up to 8 mineral claims per person (up from 2)
🔹 Stronger rehabilitation requirements and potential reuse of mullock
🔹 Shift to digital systems for applications, renewals and transfers
🔹 Staged rollout over the next 6–24 months
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Our role in the review
The Lightning Ridge Area Opal Reserve took part in the stakeholder committee, raising local issues directly with the Minister, and helped residents prepare and submit submissions to ensure local voices were heard.
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What’s next?
There is still a long way to go, with further consultation and detail to come.
We’ll keep the community updated as the process continues.
www.resources.nsw.gov.au/mining-and-exploration/opal-mining/independent-review?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZ...
Great news for Wandella!
We’re thrilled to share that we’ve received a $10,000 @GrainCorp Community Foundation Grant to complete and fit out an unfinished room at the Wandella Education and Research Hub.
The new room will be named the GrainCorp Education and Research Room.
This new space will help grow our agricultural and educational programs, supporting local school groups, BroSpeak and Aboriginal Youth Initiatives, birdwatching groups, and visiting researchers.
It’s another step forward as we build opportunities in agriculture, science, and learning right here in the far west — creating pathways for young people that strengthen education, employment, and community outcomes across the @WalgettShireCouncil area.
A huge thank you to @GrainCorp for backing regional education and community development — and thanks to @Stephen Kamper MP for his support in making projects like this possible.
We’ll keep everyone updated as the building works get underway!
(Photos below: some of the programs this space will support.)
Hands on Learning Roy Butler MP Steve Kamper Lightning Ridge Central School GrainCorp NSW Department of Education Community Achievement Awards for NSW & The ACT ABC Rural The Western Herald The University of Sydney Plant Breeding Institute Narrabri UNSW Jamie Chaffey MP Flow-MER - Lower Balonne
#Wandella #GrainCorpCommunityFoundation #CommunityGrant #EducationAndResearch #FarWestNS
🌾 Harvest season is in full swing across the Opal Reserve! This week, local Indigenous sharefarmer Charlie Carpenter took Hands-On Learning students from Lightning Ridge Central School out to the paddock for a practical examination of cropping — with wheat, chickpeas, and barley all just about ready for harvest. Students explored the process up close and gained insight into how these grains are grown, harvested, and prepared for delivery.
Based at the Wandella Education and Research Hub, this initiative is about more than just harvest. It’s about connection — between land and learning, experience and opportunity, and the next generation growing up right here in the Walgett Shire with pathways into the agricultural sector.
Hands on Learning Community Achievement Awards for NSW & The ACT NSW Department of Education Lightning Ridge Central School Jamie Chaffey MP Roy Butler MP Western Plains App ABC Rural ABC Central West The Western Herald NSW Government Steve Kamper GrainCorp The University of Sydney Plant Breeding Institute Narrabri Outback Radio 2WEB
Lightning Ridge students return for a hands-on term
Lightning Ridge students return for a hands-on term
www.thewesternherald.com.au
As students return to Lightning Ridge Central School for Term 4, the Hands-on Learning group is gearing up to complete the final stage of their project at the Wandella Education and Research Precinct ...
🥳🥳We moved to the next stage and are proud to share that we’ve been named a finalist in the 2025 Community Achievement Awards for NSW & The ACT.
Thank you to the judging panel for this recognition — it’s an honour to be acknowledged alongside so many inspiring organisations.
We’re incredibly proud of the impact we’ve made so far, and we look forward to continuing our work in the community.
BirdLife Australia's cover photo
Hands-On Learning at Wandella
Big smiles, busy hands, and plenty of learning — we had the Lightning Ridge Central School Hands-On Learning class out at Wandella again. Wandella is an old farmhouse we’re turning into a community research and education hub, run by the Lightning Ridge Area Opal Reserve — a not-for-profit group managing Crown land in our region.
From building their outdoor structure to learning about our share farm crops, identifying local bird species, flying the drone, and helping out around the Hub, these students are gaining practical skills and experiences they’ll carry into the future. Opportunities like this help build pathways into trades, agriculture, technology, research, and community work — showing how hands-on learning can open many different doors.
We’re proud to be building this partnership with the school to strengthen educational outcomes for local students, and we value their participation in making these projects a success. 👩🔧🌱🚀
Hands on Learning NSW Department of Education Lightning Ridge Central School ABC Western Plains GrainCorp Roy Butler MP triple j UNSW University of Sydney Steve Kamper Jamie Chaffey MP
Bush Fire Danger Period and Fire Permits - NSW Rural Fire Service
Bush Fire Danger Period and Fire Permits - NSW Rural Fire Service
www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
A Fire Permit is required for burning activities during the Bush Fire Danger Period in Rural Fire districts and at all times in Fire and Rescue districts around the state. Fire Permits help ensure fir...
The Opal Reserve team is using smart tech to manage weeds– the Universal Flow Tracker or UFT, by Rapid Logix Rapid Spray Pty Ltd, records exactly where and how we’re spraying weeds across the Reserve.
This fantastic technology:
🛰Maps every plant sprayed with GPS
💧Tracks chemical use + weather conditions
📊Builds a clear picture of infestations over time with generated reports
This technology guarantees our reporting is precise, consistent, and promotes accountability. It enables us to communicate our weed management duties clearly and supports ongoing funding for these Weeds of National Significance.
With this technology, we’re not only tackling Hudson Pear & Harrisia more effectively, but also building a long-term record that shows how the landscape of infestations is changing over time.
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#HudsonPear #Harrisia #WeedControl #Landcare #LightningRidge #ConservationInAction #EnvironmentalManagement #WeedControlTechnology #BioControl #SustainableLandManagement #InvasiveSpecies #CrownLand #CommunityLandcare #ProtectOurLand #RegionalNSW #AgTech #LandcareNSW #BushCare #HealthyLandHealthyFuture #ConservationEfforts #OutbackNSW #RapidSpray #RapidLogix #UFT #NoxiousWeeds #Cactus
📚🌱 Hands-On Learning at Wandella! 🛠️☀️
Students from Lightning Ridge Central School’s Hands-on Learning class recently visited the Wandella Education and Research Precinct as part of our ongoing education partnership between Lightning Ridge Area Opal Reserve Crown Land Manager and the school.
The Hands-on Learning program is a national education initiative designed to support young people through practical, real-world projects. It builds confidence, encourages teamwork, and helps students develop valuable life and work skills — all while staying engaged in their education.
💪 As part of their current project, the students are helping to design and construct an outdoor shade area, which will provide a much-needed space for outdoor learning and future group activities at Wandella.
We’re proud to support this meaningful collaboration that delivers real outcomes for students, the environment, and the broader community.
Also, a big thanks to the teaching staff, Damien and Melvin, from Lightning Ridge Central School.
handsonlearning.org.au/#whatwedo
Roy Butler MP ABC Central West BackTrack Youth Works The Western Herald Walgett Shire Council Steve Kamper Jamie Chaffey MP Outback Radio 2WEB Courtney HoussosABC Western Plains Boys To The Bush NSW Department of Education GrainCorp