Managing Crown Land for the Community
See what we have been up to below
We’ve received reports of possible illegal goat mustering and hunting activity in the Coocoran area of the Reserve.
Mustering, removing, or hunting goats on Reserve land (Crown Land) is not permitted.
Police are aware of these reports. Anyone caught mustering goats or undertaking illegal hunting on the Reserve will be prosecuted.
If you have information regarding this activity, please contact us directly. All information provided will be treated in strict confidence
As we wrap up 2025, we’re proud of the progress made across the Lightning Ridge Opal Reserve through strong partnerships, practical land management and community collaboration.
Five key highlights from the year include:
• The continued growth of the Wandella Education and Research Hub, with strong partnerships alongside Lightning Ridge Central School and Hands On Learning
• Successful Indigenous-led share farming outcomes supporting productive land use and collaboration
• The gazettal of the Grawin Front Road, followed by immediate upgrades carried out by Walgett Shire Council
• Ongoing environmental research on the Reserve, including fish research supporting better long-term land and water management
• Large-scale Hudson Pear control, including the release of over 600 tubs of cochineal to combat both brown-spine and white-spine Hudson Pear
Alongside this, the year has delivered a range of other positive outcomes, including bird-watching groups contributing to species identification, the removal of large numbers of feral goats and pigs (with more work still to do), weed control programs, grant-funded upgrades and broader environmental improvements across the Reserve.
We also acknowledge and thank our volunteer Board members — David Lane, Rebel Black, Barb Moritz, Jason Stone, Wendy Spencer, Damian Waterford and Brenda McBride — for their behind-the-scenes governance and commitment throughout the year.
On behalf of Lightning Ridge Opal Reserve staff and Board members, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.
RRoy Butler MPTThe Western HeraldWalgett Shire CouncilHHands on LearningABC RuralSteve KamperNSW GovernmentABC Western PlainsNSW Department of EducationWWestern Plains AppNNorthern Slopes Landcare Association Inc.FFlow-MER - Lower BalonneLLightning Ridge Central SchoolAABC IndigenousOOutback Radio 2WEBJJamie Chaffey MP@@top fans
Last month, the Lightning Ridge Area Opal Reserve hosted a preparing for high school day for the Year 6 boys from Lightning Ridge Central School as they get ready for the next stage of their schooling.
The day was spent out in the bush at the river, where students caught yabbies and fish, measured them, and looked at water samples, followed by a visit to the share-farming crops at Coocoran Lake to see how harvesting works in practice.
This was another example of how the Wandella Education and Research Hub is being used — an ongoing, evolving initiative that continues to grow and deliver positive educational and engagement outcomes for local students. It shows how Crown land can be activated in practical, community-focused ways that support learning beyond the traditional classroom.
A big thank you to all the school staff for organising the day, and a special shout-out to Charlie Carpenter and Nick Lohsey for giving the boys a clear, practical rundown of the cropping process and what a day in the life of harvest looks like when it’s in full swing.
We look forward to continuing to build these kinds of opportunities and expanding what’s possible through the Wandella Education and Research Hub into 2026 and beyond.
Roy Butler MP Walgett Shire Council NSW Government NSW Department of Education ABC Rural ABC Western Plains ABC Indigenous ABC Central West @top fans Hands on Learning NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Steve Kamper Northern Slopes Landcare Association Inc. The Western Herald Western Plains App Lightning Ridge Central School
Camps on Mineral Claims – Community Update
Recently, we had a productive meeting with NSW Resources, Crown Lands and Roy Butler’s office.
We want to clearly reassure the community that people with lawful camps or dwellings on valid mineral claims are not going to lose their residential status.
NSW Resources (Mines), Crown Lands, the Lightning Ridge Area Opal Reserve and Roy Butler’s office will continue meeting to discuss longer-term options and pathways. This process will take some time.
What is important in the meantime is that mineral claims are renewed on time and kept valid.
The community can be assured that legal camps on valid mineral claims will not be lost. We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available. Thank you for your patience.
Lightning Ridge Opal Reserve staff have released the final tub of infected cochineal biocontrol across the Crown Land Reserve for the year !! 🌵🌵🌵🌵
In 2025, more than 600 tubs were released — the largest annual release we’ve ever achieved. A strong focus this year has been on brown-spine Hudson pear, with targeted releases aimed at achieving the critical mass needed for long-term control.
We’re very fortunate to have the cochineal breeding facility located in Lightning Ridge. This one-of-a-kind facility plays a crucial role in regional biocontrol efforts, not just for Hudson pear but for other invasive cactus and weed species across western NSW.
Cochineal is a proven biocontrol tool. While it takes time, when combined with strategic spraying it is playing an important role in slowing the spread of Hudson pear across the Walgett region.
We now look forward to monitoring the results of this year’s releases and building on this work with further large-scale releases next year to continue tackling Hudson pear.
Thanks to Crown Lands, Walgett Shire Council, Castlereagh Macquarie County Council, Local Land Services and DPIRD, along with the broader community, for their ongoing support.
The Western Herald Roy Butler MP Walgett Shire Council ABC Rural Hands on Learning ABC Landline NSW Government Steve Kamper NSW Department of Education Tara Moriarty MLC54 Reasons @top fans ABC Western Plains North West Local Land Services Local Land Services NSW
Last month we hosted a Hands On Learning day out at Wandella with students from Lightning Ridge Central School, showcasing what’s possible when community-managed Crown land is activated for education and youth engagement.
Students spent the day working together to gather materials for an outdoor learning structure they’re building, before heading down to the river for hands-on, on-Country learning and yabbing. We were also pleased to welcome senior Hands On Learning staff visiting from Melbourne and Tamworth.
Hands On Learning is an outstanding organisation that began in Melbourne and now supports practical, student-focused programs across Australia. Days like this demonstrate the powerful role that Crown land, when locally managed, can play in delivering positive education outcomes — particularly for young people who benefit most from hands-on, place-based learning.
In communities like Walgett, meaningful youth engagement and early intervention are critical. Programs delivered on Country, in both Indigenous and non-Indigenous contexts, help build confidence, connection, skills and a sense of belonging — outcomes that extend well beyond the classroom.
This is the kind of impact that becomes possible when government, community land managers, schools and philanthropic partners work together.
A great day had by all. Thank you to Marc Jackson and Rebecca Edwards for making the trip and supporting this work.
Hands on Learning Roy Butler MP The Western Herald ABC Western Plains Walgett Shire Council Jamie Chaffey MP Outback Radio 2WEB ABC Rural NSW Government Steve Kamper Tara Moriarty MLC 54 Reasons NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure NSW Department of Education ABC Landline
Great night in Sydney at the Channel 7 Community Achievement Awards, held at the Shangri-La on Saturday.
We were proud to attend as finalists representing the Lightning Ridge Area Opal Reserve and to stand alongside so many outstanding community organisations, including the Narrabri Showgrounds Committee and Ooranga Family Mobile Resource Unit in Baan Baa.
We were also fortunate to share a table with Roy Butler MP for Barwon, and to hear NSW Minister for Crown Lands Steve Kamper speak about the importance of Crown land and recognise the work being done by Crown Land Managers across NSW. It was also great to catch up in person with Crown Lands staff and colleagues from around the state.
While we didn’t take home the award on the night, it was an honour to be recognised for the work happening on the ground at Lightning Ridge, including:
• Indigenous-led share farming
• hands-on learning programs for young people
• converting a farmhouse into an education and research hub
• partnerships with UNSW and the University of Sydney
• and delivering a biological control program using cochineal to tackle Hudson Pear infestations
Congratulations to all finalists and winners — and thank you to Channel 7 for shining a light on the people and projects quietly strengthening regional and remote communities.
The Western Herald Roy Butler MP Walgett Shire Council Outback Radio 2WEB Jamie Chaffey MP ABC Rural Hands on Learning Community Achievement Awards for NSW & The ACT NSW Government ABC Landline
A big thank you to Andrew Brown, the General Manager of Walgett Shire Council, and the whole Council team for officially commencing the long-awaited upgrades to the Grawin Front Road.
This road is a vital access route for residents, businesses, visitors and emergency services, and seeing real work no underway is a great outcome for the Grawin community and the wider opal fields area.
The improvements being made now will make a genuine difference to safety, accessibility and long-term usability. It’s encouraging to see commitment being turned into action, and we sincerely appreciate the effort being put in by Council staff, contractors and all those involved behind the scenes to get this project moving.
Walgett Shire Council The Western Herald Roy Butler MP Outback Radio 2WEB ABC Rural Jamie Chaffey MP
We’ve made it as a finalist in the Community Achievement Awards for NSW & The ACT for the Crown Land Manager Excellence Award, and we’ll be attending the awards dinner in Sydney on 29 November, hosted by Minister for Crown Lands Steve Kamper
If you like what we do for the Reserve and the wider community, we’d really appreciate your vote in the People’s Choice Award. To vote, just follow the link, find our picture, and cast your vote.
Thanks for all your support — it genuinely helps us keep this work going.
awardsaustralia.app.do/2025-community-achievement-awards-for-nsw-the-actLightning Ridge Area Opal Reserve Crown Land Manager is one of the most unique and significant Crown Land Reserves, spanning over 20,000 hectares across the iconic opal fields. Managed by a diverse volunteer local community board, the Reserve balances mining, culture, education, tourism, and conservation in remarkable harmony. Over the past 18 months, it has launched the Wandella Education and Research Hub, partnered with schools and universities to deliver youth and Indigenous programs, implemented an Indigenous-led share farming program across 3,000 acres, and undertaken major environmental works including Hudson Pear spraying and biocontrol releases, feral pest management programs, and infrastructure upgrades to roads and firefighting resources.…Congratulations Lighting Ridge Area Opal Reserve Crown Land Manager
Grawin–Glengarry Sheepyards Opal Fields – Fire Trail & Track upgrades
Crown Lands and the Lightning Ridge Opal Reserve are continuing to deliver important on-ground improvements across the Grawin–Glengarry Sheepyards area, supporting community safety, fire preparedness, and reliable access for locals, miners, and visitors.
At Grawin the Opal Reserve manages two lots of Crown Land within the broader opal fields. These parcels include areas at Grawin, Glengarry, and the Sheepyards area, located on either side of Mundaroo Station (we do not manage Mundaroo Station).
Over the next three weeks, Soil Conservation Service (SoilCon) will be onsite completing significant upgrade works, including:
• Grading and reshaping priority fire trails
• Watering and rolling road surfaces to strengthen and stabilise them
• Installing concrete matting to improve drainage and reduce erosion in key problem areas and locations with known water-flow issues
These upgrades represent a meaningful investment in the long-term safety, accessibility, and resilience of the opal fields, delivered through strong cooperation between Crown Lands, the Lightning Ridge Opal Reserve, and the NSW Rural Fire Service.
A big thank-you to Crown Lands staff in Dubbo, and also to Jason and the crew from SoilCon for their professionalism and high-quality work. Please take extra care when travelling through the area while crews and machinery are operating.
Further updates will be provided as works progress.
Roy Butler MP Walgett Shire Council Outback Radio 2WEB NSW Rural Fire Service - North West The Western Herald