A campaign to win UNESCO recognition for Victoria’s goldfields has united two former premiers from opposing parties and gained the support of a world heritage expert.
Former Labor premier John Brumby and ex-Liberal premier Denis Napthine have both been appointed patrons of the bid for UNESCO World Heritage listing for Victorian gold rush era sites.
They hope a successful bid will spur another gold rush by bringing international recognition to Victoria’s goldfields and drive a major economic boost from international and interstate tourism.
Thirteen councils across Victoria are backing the bid that is likely to include mines, architecturally significant buildings and natural landscapes at the heart of Victoria’s gold rush.
Work is now under way to determine which sites will form part of the bid but it is expected that attractions such as the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park would be on the list.
The park includes mines, gullies where gold was discovered and the remnants of historic houses. Buildings such as Ballarat and Bendigo’s mining exchanges could also be featured as well as the site of the Eureka Stockade.
