LODDON Shire Council’s bid for parts of the historic Central Victorian Goldfields to be UNESCO World Heritage listed has had a boost from an expert report.
Loddon Shire, which is is campaigning in partnership with 12 other councils, believes a successful bid would be likely to provide a boost for tourism operators.
The bid is being spearheaded by newly named co-patrons and former Victorian premiers John Brumby and Denis Napthine.
British heritage expert Barry Gamble, author of the successful Cornwall and west Devon mining landscape world heritage bid, wrote a statement of outstanding universal value to help progress the Central Victorian bid.
He described the Central Victorian Goldfields as “the most extensive, coherent and best-surviving landscape anywhere, that illustrates the global gold rush phenomenon of the second half of the 19th century”.
The bid is being assisted by $100,000 from the Victorian Goldfields Tourism Executive and $50,000 provided by the Victorian Government.
Loddon Shire Mayor Cheryl McKinnon said that while the council made the decision to join the campaign some time ago, it was encouraging to see it now progressing.
“We’ve expressed our interest in being involved and now it’s got to the next stage,” Cr McKinnon said.
She said a successful world heritage bid would boost Loddon Shire tourism.
“Anything that’s world heritage-listed seems to have a following of its own because of the heritage listing,” Cr McKinnon said.
“It brings it to world attention so people that are travelling looking for those heritage sites would most likely end up in Wedderburn or Inglewood, so that’s what we’d be hoping.”
It may take up to five years to determine whether or not the listing bid succeeds, according to Mr Brumby.
However, the campaign will continue to draw attention to the Central Goldfields region through the development of publicity material, a website and social media campaigns.
