A NEW committee will strive to drive growth in the Central Goldfields region, while also aiming to achieve World Heritage Listing.
The National Trust of Australia Victoria has re-newed its commitment to the Central Goldfields region – with a particular focus on areas with greater economic disadvantage. NTAV acting chief Paul Roser said the committee would be established to assess the key opportunities available to both conserve and protect the area’s heritage.
“We’re looking at heritage as an economic driver, (focusing) on the shire’s that perform badly,” Mr Roser said.
Areas like Maryborough will be assessed and compared to success stories like Maldon. The launch of the committee coincides with the start of the heritage festival and the 50th anniversary of Maldon’s recognition as a notable town. The committee will also look at other ways to encourage tourists attracted to areas like Ballarat and Bendigo to make the trip to smaller towns like Clunes and Creswick. The NTAV will work with Ballarat City Council in an attempt to bid for national and world heritage listing for the area.
“Daylesford is a success story … Clunes and Creswick are struggling,” Mr Roser said. The committee will not just focus on a tourist-driven economy, it will also assess ways to create other jobs in industry and find unique opportunities to draw investment into the region.
“It’s not just a focus on tourism – the point is to draw people to the region, how we can get people to the Ararat or the Pyrenees area,” Mr Roser said.
The newly formed Goldfields Strategic Advisory Committee will work with a broad and diverse range of partners, including NTAV branches, universities, regional tourism boards, local historical groups, local government and other not-for-profit groups to identify the best opportunities and develop winning strategies.
The idea has been welcomed by the chair of the Victorian Goldfields Tourism Chris Meddows-Taylor, as as a “value-adding” initiative.
“The NTAV has been a fantastic value added partner in celebrating and promoting our wonderful Goldfields Heritage,” Mr Meddows-Taylor said.
NTAV will appoint the chair and members who will be drawn from regionally-based experts in a range of areas and will volunteer their professional skills and experience.
