Calls for more on mine plan

THE City of Greater Bendigo’s Victoria Hill Reserve draft management plan closes for comments tomorrow, and one community leader is concerned the plan won’t fully capture the historical significance of the site.

President of the Bendigo branch of the National Trust of Australia, Peter Cox, held a tour on Sunday afternoon, led by local geologist Bill Allen and historian James Lerk.

Mr Cox said Victoria Hill played an important part in the gold mining history of Bendigo, but the story of the site could be better told through signage, an audio-visual presentation, or a mobile phone app.

“Some people [on Sunday] said that they always bring their friends when friends visit from other parts of the state, they go for walks through that area,” he said.

“But they’d only be getting five per cent of the story.”

Victoria Hill yielded $8 billion throughout the 97 years of mining operation and is home to open cut quartz mines once owned by the Ballerstedt family and deep mine shafts operated by George Lansell.

Some visitors said they’d like to see the site’s original vegetation returned, while others raised accessibility as a concern.

Mr Cox said there “seems to be enough space” next to the paths to allow for wheelchair access and a rail.

“We were talking about a committee which could be established for three years to raise funds,” he said.

“I’m sure there’s lots of mining companies who would be very interested in telling the story where $8 billion was taken out of the ground.

“It’s heritage listed like the botanical gardens, so why shouldn’t it be treated like the botanical gardens are, but in a way that’s relevant to the site.”

The draft management plan is open for feedback at letstalkgreaterbendigo.com.au.