01 Industrial Heritage Case Studies

in 2013, with Glen Forbes in 2014 and a timber rail viaduct, railway stations, Bass Coast Kernot in 2016. Once completed the trail remnants of mines and mining activity will be 50 kilometres long. (including a largely intact mullock heap

Rail Trail This ongoing, long-term project began at Mitchell’s Mine and four miner’s cottages at Wonthaggi). Bass Coast Shire, Gippsland, Vic in 1994 and continues today. The trail is managed and developed by the Bass The trail site is adjacent to the old State The Bass Coast Rail Trail is one Coast Shire Council. Coal Mine at Wonthaggi, Mitchell’s Mine Historic Reserve and the historic of a series of rail trails that reuse Site history and heritage cemetery at Kilcunda, coastal reserves defunct railway corridors as linear The Bass Coast Rail Trail is part of a and the Wonthaggi Wetlands. recreational parks. Located in former branch railway from Nyora to The rail corridor had important remnant Wonthaggi, which opened in 1910 to carry South Gippsland, the Bass Coast vegetation and provided biological corridors coal from the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine Rail Trail moves through between other areas of remnant bush. farmland, coastal bushland, to Melbourne, and to service the region’s farms and agricultural industries. Challenges historic coal mining reserves and along the Gippsland coastline. The coal mine closed in 1968 and, When the Committee of Management took following declining rail usage, the railway over in 1994 there was “nothing but clay, The trail has particularly strong itself was closed in 1978. At this time blackberries and dead cows” and many of links with the area’s coal mining much material and infrastructure was the structures were neglected and unsafe. heritage as well as with stripped from the site. In subsequent Licenses and fencing issues had to be agricultural heritage. years the neglected site was vandalised. negotiated with adjoining landowners. A series of reports and plans were The trail includes areas of cultural and prepared between 1991 and 1994 looking Approach and outcome industrial heritage significance, along with at the conservation values and proposed The Bass Coast Rail Trail now forms an dramatic landscapes and environments development. The Concept Design and important recreational linear reserve, of natural and ecological significance. Management Plan for the Anderson to connecting a range of environments and The trail is used for walking, horse riding, Wonthaggi section was completed in 1994, accessing different areas of industrial cycling and other recreational activities. at which time the Bass Coast Council heritage significance along with many An important part of the region’s tourist appointed a Committee of Management. other areas. Interpretation is provided infrastructure, it is also used frequently by along the length of the trail. local residents, many of whom use it daily. The Wonthaggi Railway Station and the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine, adjacent The rail trail is surfaced with fine gravel. The trail currently runs from the to the rail trail, are both listed on the Most of the rail tracks were removed Anderson Railway Station to the Victorian Heritage Register. when the railway was decommissioned, Wonthaggi Railway Station and links but the remnant steel lines from the to the George Bass Coastal Walk at Opportunities Bourne Creek trestle bridge have been Kilcunda. There are plans for the future The rail line passes through a range of reused as a ‘relic’ at Kilcunda Station. development of the trail to Woolamai, landscapes and includes striking built This bridge, one of five repaired, has been Glen Forbes and Kernot. The section infrastructure: bridges (including the adapted to accommodate horse riders as to Woolamai is expected to be completed Bourne Creek timber trestle bridge), well as walkers and cyclists.

1. 2. Project team Photography credits Manager: Bass Coast Shire. Concept plan: Paul Goodison. 1. Courtesy Bass Coast Shire. 2–5. Courtesy Rail Trails Australia. BCSC0109-1_RailTr_broch_final.indd 2 Bass Coast Rail Trail Map

Lessons • The rail trail provides public access to the region’s mining and agricultural heritage, while also providing economic and ecological benefits to the community.

• The project demonstrates that industrial heritage includes long, linear sites that connect widely differing environments and heritage contexts.

Mouth of the Powlett River, • The project shows the value Coastal Reserve, toilets picnic area of a long term approach with

staged development over decades, including room for growth and change. 27/05/09 1:42 PM At some points the trail deviates from the Maintenance, including weed and References path of the rail line – in some cases to ensure vegetation control is a continual expense, Industrial Heritage Adaptive Reuse Issues Paper accompanying this case study: www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/ the safety of users near busy highways, in as is managing vandalism. heritage/projects-and-programs others to protect regenerated vegetation. The community plays an active role Rail Trails Australia: www.railtrails.org.au/ The development of the rail trail has in looking after the trail and providing trail?view=trail&id=203 Bass Coast Shire: www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/Leisure/ also been a catalyst for the adaptive reuse informal ‘surveillance’. A Friends Bicycle___Walking_Tracks/Bass_Coast_Rail_Trail of associated historic structures – for Group, formed in 2006, helps with Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance example, Wonthaggi station is now a marketing and promotion, advice and to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw museum, arts and crafts shop – and minimal maintenance. of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular the trail also brings visitors to adjacent purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for mining heritage sites, such as the State any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this Coal Mine Heritage Area at Wonthaggi. publication. This document is also available in Word format on the internet at www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/ Solar panel counters at Kilcunda and heritage/projects-and-programs. Wonthaggi track the use of the trail. These indicate an average of 10,000 users per month in the summer peak period and 5,000 to 7,000 at other times.

3. 4. 5.