THE City of Greater Bendigo\u2019s Victoria Hill Reserve draft management plan closes for comments tomorrow, and one community leader is concerned the plan won\u2019t fully capture the historical significance of the site.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut they\u2019d only be getting five per cent of the story.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Some visitors said they\u2019d like to see the site\u2019s original vegetation returned, while others raised accessibility as a concern.<\/p>\n
Mr Cox said there \u201cseems to be enough space\u201d next to the paths to allow for wheelchair access and a rail.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were talking about a committee which could be established for three years to raise funds,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure there\u2019s lots of mining companies who would be very interested in telling the story where $8 billion was taken out of the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s heritage listed like the botanical gardens, so why shouldn\u2019t it be treated like the botanical gardens are, but in a way that\u2019s relevant to the site.\u201d<\/p>\n