District Council of Coober Pedy, CEO update, June 2026

The Black Flag Opal Field Project was initiated to create thirty two (32) mining leases on land resulting from the closure of the Old Stuart Highway. The process involved multiple approvals and is now close to being finalised.

Once all processes have been finalised in closing the Old Stuart Highway and opening of the new road, it is planned to release the land by ballot, in accordance with section 16 of the Opal Mining Act 1995.

DEM will liaise with the Coober Pedy Miners Association and relevant stakeholders to determine the method for conducting the ballot, setting an agreed date for it to be held and preparing a Gazette notice declaring the land be released via a ballot, to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of land to all interested opal miners.

At Council’s meeting held on 24 June 2026, Council approved naming of the new road to be Magazine Road.