The decision by the Australian Government to include the Victorian Goldfields on Australia's World Heritage Tentative List after 35 years of advocacy, creates significant tourism, economic development and community benefits for a large part of regional Victoria covering 15 Local Council areas and their Visitor Economy Partnership regions.
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 together with tourism stakeholders at regional and central locations.
Further research and consultation will be undertaken to determine sites for a World Heritage nomination, which may include additional sites not mentioned in the current Tentative List.
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 goldrushes and subsequent waves of immigration.
Tentative Listing is a critical step on the journey to being considered for World Heritage Listing by UNESCO which requires that candidates develop a Sustainable Tourism Program to ensure listed sites are protected, but also that they are ready to meet the high expectations of large numbers of visitors from across the globe and within Australia who choose to visit these sites which carry the prestigious UNESCO recognition.
The economic benefits of this added visitation alone are substantial with a 2024 assessment finding that the listing could see an additional 2.5 million new visitors to the Victorian Goldfields Region over 10 years, generating over $500 million into regional and local economies.
The Victorian Government, participating local councils and tourism stakeholders have funded the development of a Sustainable Tourism Masterplan which offers visitors the opportunity to experience the exciting history of this unique area focussing on both larger well-known locations but also smaller but significant places unlocking their engaging secrets.
The sites and locations are connected by World Heritage Journeys based on the highly successful model developed by UNESCO and National Geographic. These will be supported by engaging storytelling creating unique and authentic experiences.
The World Heritage Journeys have been developed with Visitor Economy Partnerships to ensure the Journeys link and extend with other regional product offerings and attractions creating added diversity and meeting different interests and needs.
It is exciting to see acknowledgement by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments on the significant upside for regional tourism.
The Commonwealth Minister for Environment and Water the Hon Tanya Plibersek stated "Tourists are attracted to World Heritage areas so this listing has fantastic economic potential for Victoria."
The Victorian Minister for Planning the Hon Sonya Kilkenny commented "Victoria's goldrush history helps attract thousands of visitors every year – this support from the Commonwealth Government means we'll be able to share even more of our history across the world."
Chris Meddows-Taylor, Chair of the Victorian Goldfields Tourism Executive, said "World Heritage Listing of the Victorian Goldfields is truly transformative and offers huge benefits to regional tourism which has been doing it tough for several years with the effects of the pandemic, fires, floods and cost of living pressures."
"The Sustainable Tourism Masterplan enables us to prepare for the significantly higher regional visitation and ensure visitors have a wonderful experience. Working together with the tourism industry we will develop and implement the Masterplan to create a 'must experience' world heritage attraction" he said.
Campaspe Shire Mayor, Cr Daniel Mackrell said the inclusion of the Victorian Goldfields on Australia's World Heritage Tentative List is a significant achievement for our region.
"This recognition not only highlights the rich cultural and historical significance of the Goldfields but also promises substantial economic and tourism benefits for our local communities. We are proud to be part of this collaborative effort," Cr Mackrell said.
The Masterplan can be accessed here.
