Wonthaggi coal mine restoration: balancing heritage and public access

Heritage tourism sites often face the challenge of balancing conservation outcomes with evolving safety, operational and compliance requirements, writes VIC Team Leader of Archaeology, Leah Tepper.

As infrastructure ages and standards change, carefully considered interventions are sometimes necessary to ensure these places remain accessible, functional and safe for future generations. This balance was central to a heritage impact statement (HIS) and permit application for the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine on Bunurong Country, prepared by GML in collaboration with Parks Victoria.

When undertaking works at heritage places, best practice is to adopt a cautious approach to change, guided by the principle of ‘changing as much as necessary but as little as possible’ (Article 3, Burra Charter). However, maintaining safe public access can sometimes require works that remove, alter or obscure significant fabric. The competing pressures of conserving heritage values while meeting contemporary safety standards need to be carefully managed.

A heritage site under pressure

The Wonthaggi State Coal Mine operated from 1909 to 1968 and is historically significant to Victoria as part of the state’s most significant black coal mine. Developed as part of Victoria’s endeavour to become self-sufficient in black coal to support industry in the early twentieth century, the site remains a large and complex industrial landscape with significant archaeological potential.

Since its closure, the mine has become a popular tourist attraction, allowing visitors to travel by Drift Car along the Main Heading tunnel. It plays an important role in educating visitors about the history of coal mining and the significance of the site. Importantly, continued public access and interpretation are themselves key aspects of the site’s ongoing cultural and community value.

Planning for safe public access

In 2021, safety audits identified defects that resulted in the closure of the underground mine experience. To safely reopen the attraction, works are required to the Drift Car, track and Main Heading tunnel to meet modern safety legislation and standards, as well as meeting heritage requirements. In this case, carefully managed change to significant and contributory fabric is necessary for safety and engineering reasons, while supporting the long-term conservation and continued use of the site.

A range of options was considered to address the identified safety issues, balancing heritage considerations alongside engineering, maintenance, economic and practical requirements. The preferred approach was selected to secure the long-term conservation, operation and interpretation of the mine into the future, while minimising impacts on significant fabric wherever possible.

The proposed works support the continued public use and interpretation of the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine, ensuring visitors can continue to engage directly with this important part of Victoria’s industrial history. The project demonstrates how heritage places can adapt to evolving safety and operational standards while retaining and communicating their cultural significance for future generations.