Gasworks opening for tours

PEOPLE will be able to take a rare up-and-close look at one of only three intact gas works in the world in the coming weeks.

Though rarely open to public tours, the Bendigo Gas Works will be available across two dates: this Saturday, 29 April, and again Saturday, 13 May.

The openings offer an opportunity to see the Weeroona Avenue, North Bendigo site as it was at the time of closure.

Gas was first produced by the Bendigo Gas Works in 1860 and the facility remained in operation until 1973 when it was closed due to the introduction of piped natural gas.

Gary Hill will be leading the tours and said the site’s significance can’t be understated.

“They are quite possibly the most intact gasworks in the world, probably the most authentic,” he said. “It’s an internationally significant site without a doubt.

“The intactness and the fact all the elements of it are there is what makes it so special, you can read sections of it that date back to the 1860s when it was first constructed.

“There’s been development on the site over the years as it grew and shrunk and grew again and you can read the elements of all those time periods within the building.”

Mr Hill said the reason tours of the facility are so rare is that it’s not as simple as the site owners opening the gates and inviting people in.

“It’s just been decontaminated,” he said. “Gas sites are highly contaminated sites.

“It was done by the State Government and the City of Greater Bendigo. They are looking at future uses for it now, and there’ll be some discussion around that.”

With abandoned gas works around the world turned into a number of different developments Mr Hill said he hopes the significance of Bendigo Gas Works is taken into account when planning its future.

“Some gas works overseas have been turned into things like apartments and semi-commercial heritage sites,” he said.

“But its significance needs to be recognised in any future development. Becoming a tourist attraction is not a bad future for these gas works depending on how it’s handled.

“It needs to be handled in a way that recognises the importance of the area when compared to others that have been developed where they’ve lost a lot more of their integrity.”

With six tours on both days, bookings are essential and entry is by donation. For more information or to book contact [email protected].