The following media release was originally published on the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid website , tailored here to include a response from Macedon Ranges Shire Council.
The Australian Government has officially given the green light for the Victorian Goldfields to seek World Heritage Listing, marking a historic milestone after 35 years of advocacy, with its successful inclusion on Australia's World Heritage Tentative List.
The journey to World Heritage Listing for the Victorian Goldfields is a collaborative effort. Fifteen councils across Victoria, Traditional Owners, the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments, and local and international experts are working together on the bid.
Tentative Listing recognises the Victorian Goldfields' potential outstanding global heritage significance and seeks to celebrate and protect the region's multi-layered history – from the First Peoples living on Country to the goldrush and subsequent waves of immigration.
"Victorian Goldfields represents the most extensive, coherent, and best-surviving nineteenth century global gold rush landscape anywhere in the world," said Barry Gamble, Chief Advisor to the Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid.
A Tentative Listing is one step on the journey to being considered for World Heritage Listing. It acts as a placeholder for World Heritage listing and has no other consequences.
Further research and consultation will be undertaken to determine sites for a World Heritage bid, which may include additional sites not part of the current Tentative List submission.
Achieving UNESCO World Heritage status will bring extensive benefits to the region's local communities including economic and social revitalisation, strengthening regional identity, building community pride and providing educational opportunities. A 2024 economic assessment found that the listing could see 2.5 million new visitors to the Victorian Goldfields Region over 10 years, with an estimated visitor spending increase into local economies of over $500 million.
As we continue on the journey towards a World Heritage bid, we will keep working with Councils, property owners, and communities in the Victorian Goldfields and across the state.
Now is the time to rally together and get behind this important moment, ensuring the rich heritage of the Victorian Goldfields is recognised on a global stage, conserving it for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.
Quotes attributed to Co-Patrons
The Hon. John Brumby AO
"After 35 years of local advocacy, the Victorian Goldfields has received the approval to pursue World Heritage Listing. Being included on Australia's World Heritage Tentative List reflects the nation's commitment to gaining global recognition for this exceptional cultural landscape."
"Individuals, communities, Traditional Owner groups, World Heritage specialists, and government bodies at all levels have united with a common aim: to celebrate the diverse stories that form the history of the Victorian Goldfields."
The Hon. Dr Denis Napthine AO
"Achieving World Heritage status will bring extensive benefits to local communities with a huge boost in jobs, investment and dollars spent through enhanced tourism. In addition World Heritage status will deliver increased community pride, improved heritage conservation and economic development."
Cr Dom Bonanno, Mayor, Macedon Ranges Shire Council
"Macedon Ranges Shire Council is excited by what achieving World Heritage status would mean for our area and the recognition of the role our towns played in such an important phase of our nation's history".
"The goldrush was important in the story of the Macedon Ranges with local areas effectively becoming the gateway for travellers enroute to the goldfields to the north in Bendigo and Castlemaine promoting both economic activity and population growth."
