Located next to White's Pharmacy, the venue has been vacant for the past 12 months.

But obtaining a venue is only one obstacle in the path of Lightning Ridge's CTC.

The committee needs to find someone willing to pay rental on the venue for the next two years.

The CTC committee already missed the deadline for the September round of funding, and is now looking at getting its application completed by mid-October to meet the November round of funding, which could possibly be the last chance.

CTC committee president Stephen Eldridge said if the committee could secure a venue and a rental pledge for the application they may have a chance.

Not only do the proposed CTC organisers have to find a committed venue, but they will also need to pay rent on the premises from the time of commitment regardless of whether it is successful in obtaining the funding, because the two-year State Government funding does not include an allocation for rent.

The CTC committee has been trying to secure a venue for the past few months and weren't able to nominate one on the application although they have looked at another five venues.

They also hadn't been able to find at least $8000 per year for two years' rent.

These two requirements are pre-requisites to a successful application.

An emergency meeting was held last Thursday to inform the community of some of the main reasons why the application hadn't been lodged for the September round of funding.

As a result the committee, through the Walgett Shire mayor Peter Waterford, has put an application to council asking for a pledge to cover the rental costs.

However, Mr Eldridge said the community also needed to get behind the project and support it.

"We really need donations or pledges as well, as a back up for the rent if council doesn't grant us the money."

But Mr Eldridge said he was hopeful the committee would get the pledge from council because the Walgett Internet Centre had recently received funding to pay for the salary of the centre's employee.

"We would expect equal treatment from council for the residents of Lightning Ridge."

Mr Eldridge said he was hoping for a response from council following its September monthly meeting.

"While the establishment of a CTC in the Ridge is hinging in the balance it is still possible.

"I think our application is good enough to pass, it is just the rental funding which is still needed that is a concern," he said.