STAFF WRITERS
WALHALLA has been included among a list of six key areas in regional Victoria recognised for their significance in the Victorian Goldrush era.
The federal government included the Victorian Goldfields on Australia’s World Heritage Tentative List last week.
The 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 candidates to develop a Sustainable Tourism Program that ensures 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 sites which carry the prestigious UNESCO recognition.
“We are excited by the World Heritage Tentative Listing of the Victorian Goldfields, including the Gippsland gold rush town of Walhalla. A World Heritage Listing of these towns would be a significant drawcard for visitors from across Australia and overseas,” Destination Gippsland Chief Executive, Terry Robinson said.
“Destination Gippsland is looking forward to next steps, including developing a Sustainable Tourism Program which ensures the sites are protected and prepared to handle increased visitor numbers if formal recognition is achieved.”
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.
