The wheels are well and truly turning on the construction of the Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge, where concrete has been poured on one of the most anticipated buildings of 2024. 

The year finished on a high for those involved in the major construction project, with earthworks, mine remediation, drilling and concrete pouring taking place. 

“The biggest challenge on site has been that we are building on an area that’s been mined for 100 years,” Australian Opal Centre CEO Jenni Brammell said.

“We’ve done that for a lot of reasons, including the historic significance of the site, but it meant that when we started construction, we weren’t entirely sure of the extent of old mine workings under the ground.”  

The construction site has come along way from its former life being mined. (Youtube: Curiosity Mine)

“There was a little bit of unknown there and that was perhaps the biggest risk with construction… but that work is finished now… it has been completed really successfully.”

Big things expected

The new centre has garnered attention far beyond the Western Plains, and was dubbed by publication Architecture AU as one of the top five anticipated buildings of 2024. 

Ms Brammel said the recognition was validating rather than nerve-wracking. 

“It’s what we’ve known for 20 years - it’s what we’ve been working towards.

“This is an architecturally significant building that will provide new models for energy efficient construction in semi-arid Australia and that will provide regional NSW and regional Australia with an iconic building. 

“It’s actually really gratifying to see that recognition… (this building) is going to bring people from all over the world to see and experience this innovative and beautiful building.

“And once they’re there they’re going to discover the wonders of our national gemstone, and our incredibly rare fossils, and the incredible cultural and social heritage of the opal fields in Australia.“

Stage One will be delivered and opened to the public in the second half of 2024, with plans for future stages of the facility to come.