The revelation came after a meeting held earlier this month where the working party determined it would be easier to gain Western Lands leases now that native title had been extinguished over the permissive occupancy area surrounding Lightning Ridge.

The working party's chairman Peter Downes said the High Court decision a few months ago to extinguish native title on the Ridge area had made way for them to pursue and continue on their path to establish a suitable status for camp residents.

"The first stage of our plan was to give miners living on mineral claims a residential lease which we achieved five years ago, now we can go onto the second stage and provide a Western Lands lease."

Mr Downes said some 1700 camp residents would benefit from stage two.

"It means that their homes will be recognised by the banks and lending institutions, which will assist by giving greater security in buying and selling powers."

Mr Downes said all the camps in the permissive occupancy area now need to be surveyed so that the plans could be lodged with the Land Titles Office.

"We aim to have the first plan lodged around mid-next year, and of course we realise that there will be a few plans that need to be drawn up to cover the area," he said.

The Working Party on Camps on Claims will further discuss securing Western Lands leases for camp residents at their next meeting, scheduled for February 20.