Lightning-Ridge-population
The Big Question.

How can Government Authorities calculate the Lightning-Ridge-population Ridge when the majority of miners are seasonal? They only mine in the cooler months and are based somewhere else. It has been a concern of the Walgett Shire Council,(the council that Lightning Ridge resides in), that there are so many people in the area who are not on the electoral role and do not pay rates to assist in the maintenance of the roads and services.

Walgett Shire Council has pressured The Department of Mineral Resources into collecting a rate payment from Residential Claim holders. Residential Claim holders are permitted to build permanent structures on their claims whereas a mineral claim holder is permitted a mobile camp only.

This is very cheap rent at $180/per year. Both are permitted to mine black opal in their claims.

It is estimated the population and surrounding areas of Lightning Ridge is about 7,000 people.

Lightning-Ridge-population back to lifestyle