Baw Baw Shire has welcomed the Victorian Government's support for Walhalla's inclusion in Australia's World Heritage Tentative List.
This is the first formal step for World Heritage status for the state's goldrush landscapes.
Walhalla Alpine Mining Landscape is one of six areas to be included in the Tentative List submission alongside Bendigo Historic Urban Landscape, Castlemaine Goldfields and Historic Townships, Creswick and the Deep Lead Landscape, Great Nuggets Historic Landscape (Tarnagulla, Moliagul, and Dunolly) and Lalgambuk (Mt Franklin).
The project has been a partnership between local councils, State and Federal Government, First Nations groups and other organisations, who will now continue to develop the nomination and begin the World Heritage process.
East Ward Councillors Kate Wilson and Adam Sheehan said they were pleased Walhalla had been included in the Tentative List.
"I would like to congratulate all involved for their work on this project so far. This is an exciting step for us to get closer to achieving World Heritage listing for Walhalla, which is the site of Victoria's largest single gold producing mine," Cr Wilson said.
"Obtaining a World Heritage Listing will not only draw more tourists to our Shire from all over the world, but also continue to help support our local towns and local businesses," Cr Sheehan said.
"The benefits are estimated to be worth $1 billion with 2.5 million new visitors over 10 years to the regions included in the listing," Cr Sheehan said.
Residents are encouraged to attend two community information sessions taking place this month about the World Heritage bid process.
An in-person session will be held on Friday 14 February from 3pm to 5pm at the Walhalla Mechanics Institute, 98/108 Main Road in Walhalla. To register, visit https://bawbawshire.co/WorldHeritageBid
An online session will take place on Wednesday 19 February from 6pm to 8pm. To register, visit https://bawbawshire.co/WorldHeritageBidOnline
