GOLD003_Regional Development

A PATHWAY TO REGIONAL REGENERATION “Targeted government investment now will act as a springboard for transformation.”

- Trevor Budge AM

Co-Coordinator Central Victorian Goldfields World Heritage Bid

World Heritage listing is a powerful agent of change. It offers the potential to accelerate regional recovery and build resilience in local communities right across the Goldfields region, including the most disadvantaged.

The strength of this proposition is a locallyled partnership approach to designing a place-based economic transformation plan.

It capitalises on the high-profile UNESCO World Heritage brand, capturing our region’s untapped globally significant heritage assets to leverage private sector and government investment, create new permanent jobs and generate greater economic diversity.

The World Heritage serial listing model – combining the most exceptional of the region’s rich heritage assets and investment in world-class experiences – is a proven catalyst for region-wide social and economic regeneration.

Major clusters of goldrush heritage assets across the region…

0 25 50km

As we look to COVID recovery, the need for targeted and coordinated high-impact investment has never been more important or more urgent. Positioning the Goldfields region competitively on the national and global stages will act as a catalyst for elevating the entire region and improving long-term economic, social and cultural outcomes.

World-class experiences…

World Heritage ‘anchor’ sites and experience centres

World Heritage regional journeys

Aboriginal cultural heritage and region-wide goldrush heritage sites, towns and cities with localised stories and experiences Strengthened and sustainable tourism offerings and capacity World Heritage region marketing and promotions

‘The impacts of UNESCO World Heritage designation are rarely accidental or unintended… sites that have achieved significant impacts have had a clear logic chain, from the identification of the issues and problems… and a clear understanding of how World Heritage Site status could be used to catalyse change and [the investment needed in] resources, activities and processes to deliver the desired impacts.’

Source: Rebanks, World Heritage Status: Is there opportunity for economic gain?

Challenges...

Opportunities…

The region’s areas of economic disadvantage creates a low starting base.

The bid process has already achieved strong, collaborative and unprecedented region-wide partnerships.

This embeds vulnerability, making it hard to build resilience in local communities.

Delivering the bid and targeting investment builds on and strengthens those partnerships.

The Goldfields region’s globally significant heritage assets and First Nations’ Peoples’ stories are underrecognised, untapped.

This severely limits their potential to be a unique and sustainable tourism offering and a powerful vehicle for improving social and economic outcomes for local communities.

Past investment has demonstrated little capacity to contribute to region-wide growth and job creation.

As a result, the private sector has not had the level of certainty needed to commit to high-impact investment that benefits local communities and the visitor economy.

The bid process delivers on the stated commitment to a deepening partnership with Registered Aboriginal Parties through a supported process of collaboration and self-determination.

It promotes business development opportunities for Aboriginal enterprises, such as addressing product gaps in Aboriginal cultural experiences.

Targeted investment will generate tourist dollars, create jobs and enhance liveability.

It will provide the private sector with the level of certainty needed to commit to high-impact investment in tourism businesses.

Partners are focused on targeting disadvantaged communities.

This will bring to life the economic, social and community uplift as a result of the increased tourism, profile and pride that World Heritage designation can bring.

World Heritage listing and targeted investment can play a critical role in building resilience as part of the COVID recovery.

Investment in heritage assets and quality infrastructure

The benefits of developing the region’s heritage and tourism assets…

‘Developing [these] assets is essential if the Goldfields is to be successful in maintaining and expanding employment in the services sector.’

Attracts professionals and arts and entertainment workers

‘A coordinated region-wide implementation plan and management structure is essential if the region is to be successful in rebranding itself, managing region-wide projects and attracting significant investment for the region.’

Increases tourism and cultural diversity

Estimated contribution of tourism to the local economy…

7.7 million

Domestic daytrip visitors

Reinforces the region’s attractiveness

3.3 million

Domestic overnight visitors

104,000

International visitors

$2 billion

Visitor expenditure Source: Tourism Research Australia NVS, IVS December 2019

If priority investments are implemented…

2% increase Visitors per year

However, in the Goldfields region currently…

‘Tourism jobs fell by 13% in the region as a direct result of COVID-19. This is almost double the 7% fall across regional Victoria.

Research shows it could take five years for the tourism industry to recover.’

10% increase

Visitor expenditure over 10 years

Tonkin et al, 2012, Developing Victoria’s Goldfields into Australia’s Cultural Heritage Region; National Institute of Economic and Industry Research findings and modelling; TRC Tourism, Sustainable Tourism Research and Analysis Report, 2020

Sources this page:

The value of World Heritage listing to local communities…

A strong and public government commitment to the bid process is a proven way of having a positive impact on tourist numbers that starts immediately and builds, raising the socio-economic profile.

‘Successful examples from around the world show that, with a strategic and coordinated approach to achieving targeted change, World Heritage Site status – and the bid process itself – can

have a significant socio-economic impact for communities… there is a strong body of evidence to show this status being an effective catalyst for more effective conservation, partnership working, civic pride, social capital, learning and education and additional funding and investment.’

Source: Rebanks, World Heritage Status: Is there opportunity for economic gain?

The experience of UNESCO World Heritage destinations around the world…

Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape, UK UNESCO designation has attracted £100 million in public and private investment within 10 years. ‘[This landscape]… is the most similar to the Goldfields region. It includes heritage rural landscapes, heritage areas of towns and historic sites across several discrete locations… the governance model has been able to facilitate social, cultural and economic regeneration that has benefited and strengthened local communities across the region.’

Source: TRC Tourism, 2021, Governance Model Options

Sustainable Tourism in the Wadden Sea, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark UNESCO designation attracts priceless global media attention and is a huge opportunity for destination marketing and development.

Old Town Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, Canada UNESCO designation is estimated to have a net present value for the town of Lunenburg and surrounding region of $21.8 million* for nonresident visitors over 16 years from 1993 to 2011. The net present value increases to $31.4 million* for all visitors. *2009 dollars

The value of region-wide targeted investment…

Modelling shows the potential economic outcomes…

The community has told us about their happiness and wellbeing…

National Institute of Economic and Industry Research

With significant areas of concern expressed by the community, via a survey taken during the COVID pandemic, the need for investment has never been more important.

Targeted investment would generate an additional $125 million (minimum) in tourist dollars and an estimated 1,250 permanent jobs over five years.

A successful combination of government and private sector investment, increased visitor numbers and enhanced liveability could, within the next decade, create over 8,000 jobs.

Everyone benefits…

Aboriginal self-determination

Areas of concern Confidence in government Time balance Health Connection to community Work

Economic development Training and skills Planning

Areas that are tracking well

Health and wellbeing

Lifelong learning, arts and culture

Creative industries

Satisfaction with life

Young people

Standard of living

Regional communities Small business and jobs Tourism and events Essential infrastructure Heritage and environment

Psychological wellbeing Environment Social Support Community quality of life scores measured across the 13 LGAs from March to August 2021, Planet Happiness

To ensure benefits are long-term, we’re putting in place a sustainable ‘forever’ model.

The Central Victorian Goldfields governance model will include: Clear management structures to conserve

and manage heritage attributes Resources providing advice, support and

capacity building to site managers and local stakeholders on the conservation, management and presentation of the Outstanding Universal Values

Robust and manageable conservation and

planning controls to protect heritage assets and effectively manage change Land management strategies to ensure

sites are well resourced and cared for Support for community, tourism and busi ness representative bodies in realising the benefits of the World Heritage listing for regional development

Central Victorian Goldfields governance model Inclusive

Representative of the many stakeholders in the region

Resilient

Based on strong relationships and a diverse set of resources, people and investments

Adaptable

Well-resourced

Relevant and effective across the different stages of planning, establishment and management of World Heritage sites

Based on sustainable financial and human resources

Source: TRC Tourism, Governance Model Options, 2021

“World Heritage listing, as well as the [bid] journey, can achieve… a second goldrush for the region which couldn’t come at a more needed time.”

– The Hon John Brumby AO Co-Patron World Heritage Bid, Premier of Victoria 2007-2010

“We must support our regions. They are vital to the future of our state and our country.”

– The Hon Denis Napthine AO Co-Patron World Heritage Bid, Premier of Victoria 2013-2014

The opportunity is now.

The urgency is now.

We’re ready.

goldfieldsworldheritage.com.au

#AbsoluteGold #HappyCommunities #RegionalRecovery