Do we recognise our Shire and region as, ‘The most extensive, coherent and best-surviving gold rush landscape, anywhere?’ That however is how World Heritage expert, Barry Gamble has described it.
It is that recognition that is driving the bid for World Heritage Listing of the Victorian Goldfields comprising 15 local councils including our own led by the Cities of Ballarat and Greater Bendigo, in partnership with the Victorian Goldfields Tourism Executive.
Council has worked hard over many years to advance this initiative, recognising the benefits which World Heritage Listing brings to help conserve our beautiful gold rush built heritage, as well as providing a firm basis for regional regeneration and economic development through significantly added visitation, public and private investment and building of social capital.
The bid will also enable the traditional custodians of the land to tell their own stories, including the impact of the gold rush on their society.
It also uniquely showcases the global mass migration of people, a spectacular period of world trade and great wealth, together with significant industrial and commercial expansion and political reform.
Our beautifully preserved gold rush landscapes, gold cities and towns create a rich diversity of attractions.
World Heritage listing will only include a small number of the most globally significant sites and buildings which would most likely be already protected on current heritage registers or planning schemes.
Want to find out more? Do come to meet and hear from the Bid team at 5.15pm (for a 5.30 start) in rooms 1-2 at the Community Hub today. Registration is not needed to attend.
