General News
3 November, 2022
State Government backs World Heritage listing bid with feasibility study funding
The push to secure a UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Central Victorian Goldfields has been backed by the Victorian Government, with a $500,000 investment to help identify sites that could be listed. Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford...
The push to secure a UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Central Victorian Goldfields has been backed by the Victorian Government, with a $500,000 investment to help identify sites that could be listed.
Member for Western Victoria Jaala Pulford made the announcement, which was approved by the ministers for planning and regional development, at the Maryborough Railway Station on Tuesday.
The funding propels the bid into its next phase, helping to shortlist potential sites for World Heritage listing and prepare a masterplan for the project, which will detail the investment needed to optimise regional economic benefits, create new jobs and help strengthen the region after the COVID-19 pandemic.
It comes after an independent report outlining the economic benefits a UNESCO World Heritage listing would bring to the region was released earlier this month, highlighting that a listing would bring $440 million into the local economy and increase regional income by some $150 million.
Speaking on Tuesday, Ms Pulford said a successful bid would have a “profound” impact for the district.
“It was about four weeks ago you had former premiers (John) Brumby and (Denis) Napthine releasing a plan for this project outlining the very great impacts World Heritage listing would bring, and we acknowledge that this will be working in partnership with all these councils, and that is an amazing thing in itself, being a driving force propelling this,” she said.
“I’m delighted to announce this funding for the Central Victorian Goldfields World Heritage masterplan — this funding will create more jobs supporting our community.
“If we succeed here with this submission, it will have a profound impact for western Victoria.”
Led by the City of Greater Bendigo and Ballarat councils, there are 13 local government areas backing the bid, including Central Goldfields Shire Council.
Covering an area of around 40,000 square kilometres, or 17 percent of the state, the bid is also
backed by the Victorian Goldfields Tourism Executive, with chair and Central Goldfields Shire mayor Chris Meddows-Taylor describing the funding as “game changing”.
“We’re absolutely over the moon, all of the prosperity and sense of confidence that was here in the 19th century — this project is going to bring that confidence, aspiration and prosperity to the 21st century,” he said.
“This is game changing, it’s not only going to take people to the big places, but to the smaller places as well and these communities will all significantly benefit from this.
“The masterplan which has been funded will enable locations big and small throughout the region to share in the massive economic benefits which increased visitation from World Heritage Listing will bring.
“So often small locations have rich gold rush secrets but struggle to attract sufficient visitation to support their businesses. The carefully constructed heritage travel journeys developed will include not only include nominated World Heritage Listing sites but many other locations, disbursing the investment and benefits.”
Labor candidate for Ripon Martha Haylett was also present at the announcement on Tuesday and said the funding was significant.
“I grew up in the Central Goldfields and have known its beauty my whole life,” she said.
“So many people have worked hard on this proposal and I’m proud that a Labor government is backing it in.
“The listing will boost our local economies, secure our precious heritage and bring more tourism to our communities for decades to come.”