Victorian Goldfields are on the path to achieving World Heritage status as local councils celebrate the Australian government's official green light for the nomination. This historic milestone follows 35 years of advocacy and marks the culmination of efforts to secure UNESCO recognition of the region's rich historical landscapes.
The Victorian Goldfields, which played a pivotal role during Australia’s gold rush, are now included on Australia’s World Heritage Tentative List. This step is significant as it allows for formal nomination, following 12 months of tentative status. The initiative is led by the City of Ballarat and the City of Greater Bendigo, alongside the support of at least 11 surrounding local councils.
On January 31, 2025, the Victorian government announced its commitment to invest $2 million to advance the Goldfields' World Heritage nomination. The goal is not only to preserve the historical significance of the gold rush era but also to amplify the story of the region, which includes the experiences of Aboriginal communities and waves of migrants drawn by the prospect of wealth.
Areas highlighted for inclusion in the nomination are the Castlemaine Goldfields, Creswick, Bendigo, and various historic landscapes such as Walhalla and Ballarat, among others. Each site tells part of the narrative of the Victorian Goldfields as perhaps the best-preserved gold rush landscapes worldwide, offering valuable insights from the nineteenth century.
Kylie Fenton, president of the Woady Yaloak Historical Society, emphasized the importance of this bid, stating, "It is long overdue, there has been a lot of focus on the American goldfields and there hasn’t been enough focus on how much of an important role Australia played."
Topics during the upcoming community meeting on February 10 will include updates on the bid process and discussions about the relevance of UNESCO sites attracting international tourism. According to the local officials, this public forum will help local residents understand the numerous benefits of World Heritage status, including enhanced infrastructure and services catering to increased tourist activity.
Former Victorian Labor Premier John Brumby, who has passionately advocated for this listing since 1988, called it, "a long time coming." He praised the Goldfields for their unique architectural heritage and the extensive stories they tell about migration and community wealth creation. 'The Goldfields region has the best streetscapes, the best architecture, and the best-preserved mining sites and buildings,' he noted, highlighting the area's rich surroundings.
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek also underscored the historical significance of the Goldfields, stating, "The Victorian Goldfields tell so many stories – of waves of immigration, of building beautiful towns from harsh landscapes, and the local First Nations people who cared for and tended the land for tens of thousands of years." This acknowledgment of both Indigenous and immigrant histories aims to promote a holistic view of the region’s cultural heritage.
Premier Jacinta Allan, MP for Bendigo East, expressed her belief in the Goldfields' potential, stating, "The region boasts the most extensive and best-surviving gold-rush landscapes in the world." She accentuated this narrative as central to the bid's appeal, which aims not just to acknowledge past achievements but to shape future opportunities.
The economic potential for the region is immense. A recent assessment indicates the World Heritage listing could potentially attract 2.5 million additional visitors over the next ten years, translating to over $500 million in increased local expenditure. There are also projections of creating more than 2000 tourism-related jobs, significantly enhancing the local economy.
With only one nomination to UNESCO permitted each year from Australia, timing has become increasingly pivotal for the Victorian Goldfields. The area is passionate about representing the broader Australian experience during the gold rush, drawing attention not only for its mineral wealth but also its cultural and historical richness.
Next steps involve continuous community engagement and feedback from local leaders across the Goldfields region. The aim is to rally support for this historic bid, ensuring the Victorian Goldfields is globally recognized and adequately conserved for future generations.
For more information about the bid and to stay updated, locals can visit goldfieldsworldheritage.com.au. With the meeting approaching, there is significant anticipation about the potential future of the Victorian Goldfields as they inch closer to achieving the coveted World Heritage status.