Locals passionate about preserving the history of the Wattle Gully gold mine at Chewton and protecting the site from further vandalism and destruction gathered at Trades Hall in Castlemaine recently to discuss the issue and push for action.
There has been outpouring of community concern since our story on the desecration occurring at Wattle Gully Gold Mine in May.
Buildings and offices at the historic site which sits within the Castlemaine Diggings Goldfields Heritage Park have been ransacked and windows broken, graffiti emblazoned across walls, but more disturbing is what appears to be the targeted theft of valuable infrastructure from the site such as copper wire, pipes and machinery components such as transformers.
The mine site was reportedly abandoned by former company Castlemaine Gold about five years ago, when they shifted their operations to Ballarat. Their mining operations at Ballarat have since ended, and a new company was subsequently formed called the Golden Point Group Pty Ltd. It understood the Golden Point Group Pty Ltd that now holds responsibility for rehabilitating Wattle Gully. However, the company has reportedly gone into administration.
The latest meeting of concerned residents dubbed ‘Friends of Wattle Gully’ included locals passionate about our goldfields history, former mine managers and workers, geologists, representatives of the Maldon Vintage Engine Museum which is the custodian of several important artefacts from the site, and representatives from the Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria which has pledged its support to help increase security at the site.
The ‘Friends of Wattle Gully’ plan to write to Earth Resources Victoria and the minister to query why the company has not been made to rehabilitate the site over the last five years; whether there is a rehabilitation plan in place and if the public can see this document; whether the $70-80,000 bond held by the department can be used to secure the site; and if not whether the Friends can have permission to access the site to install security cameras to assist in protecting it from further desecration?
“The first priority is to stop any further damage and theft from occurring and protect the site,” a Friends spokesperson said.
“The second is to look to the future and how it can be used. Perhaps the sheds could be utilised by local businesses or even council staff to have a presence on site or perhaps the department could even consider appointing a live in caretaker,” they said.
Ultimately the ‘Friends of Wattle Gully’ would like to see the site rehabilitated and restored and potentially opened for tourism particularly in light of the current Central Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid.
The Mail put these questions to Earth Resources Victoria and the Minister for Environment querying whether the department had made contact with the licence holder; why the site has not been rehabilitated and secured; and whether the $70-80,000 bond in trust could be used to secure the site?
Earth Resources Victoria advised the licensees remain responsible for site security until rehabilitation is complete.
“The Earth Resources Regulator is in discussions with the license holder, to ensure they meet their obligations, including site security,” a spokesperson said.
“Rehabilitation bonds are used as last resort should a licensee default on their statutory obligations.”
Acting Executive Director Earth Resources Regulator Judy Scott said Wattle Gully is one of many former mining sites within the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park.
“Anyone with information about theft or vandalism on Crown Land should contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.” Ms Scott said.
The Mail had not received a response from the Minister at the time of going to press.