University project proposes new vision for Anglesea mine

A PROJECT run by RMIT University’s Regenerative Transformation Lab (RTL) is proposing a new vision for the land occupued by the former Anglesea coal mine.

Professor Chris Ryan and Professor Michael Trudgeon, who co-lead RTL, are suggesting the Alcoa site should be used for nature restoration as well as systems repair and climate and biodiversity resilience, which would accord with the regenerative futures research theme adopted by RMIT University.

Under the RTL proposal, there would be a slow, progressive transformation to create a public space for recreation, community facilities for Anglesea, immersive experiences that promote environmental awareness and public education, research, and experimentation in regenerative futures.

Concepts include converting the Alcoa chimney stack into a lighthouse and lookout viewing platform, developing a solar energy farm, and using the water body for ecological restoration.

Writing about the RTL project in the latest edition of the Aireys Inlet and District Association newsletter, Prof. Ryan said the proposal would support the Great Ocean Road as as destination “to move rapidly from extractive tourism towards a model that views tourists and tourism providers as regenerative agents (with tourists conscious of the impact of their visitation and acting to restore systems)”.

“The regenerative tourism focus for the site aligns with the purpose of the Victorian Act that brought the Great Ocean Road Authority into being: Enshrining a commitment to the protection of the precious history, natural systems and communities of the Great Ocean Road region and increasing its value as a visitor destination.”

Prof. Ryan said RTL’s proposal could be compared to the CERES environmental education centre, community garden, urban farm and social enterprise hub in the Melbourne suburb of Brunswick East.

“Think of the future Alcoa site as CERES mark 2.0.”

This plan is the latest vision for what should be done with the land formerly occupied by the power station and coal mine, and follows the Eden Project’s $150 million eco-tourism proposal.

RTL proposes to release a full site report and more detail on its plans in August.