Wonthaggi’s State Coal Mine was once the engine room of Victoria’s economy. Could it have a new role as a centre of history, community, energy and creativity? By Linda Cuttriss
THE State Coal Mine sits deep in the heart of Wonthaggi’s story. The heritage area honours the miners who laboured in damp, dark, dangerous conditions. It celebrates the co-operative spirit that built the town and preserves the history of Wonthaggi’s pivotal role in Victoria’s economic development. The underground tour is a compelling, immersive journey back in time and is crucial to drawing visitors to the town’s only tourist attraction.
The announcement by Environment Minister Ingrid Stitt and Bass Coast MP Jordan Crugnale of $1.5 million to restore the State Coal Mine and reinstate the underground tours is great news for the people of Wonthaggi, for the volunteers who have given their time and expertise over many years and for families with connections to the town’s coalmining days.
THE State Coal Mine sits deep in the heart of Wonthaggi’s story. The heritage area honours the miners who laboured in damp, dark, dangerous conditions. It celebrates the co-operative spirit that built the town and preserves the history of Wonthaggi’s pivotal role in Victoria’s economic development. The underground tour is a compelling, immersive journey back in time and is crucial to drawing visitors to the town’s only tourist attraction.
The announcement by Environment Minister Ingrid Stitt and Bass Coast MP Jordan Crugnale of $1.5 million to restore the State Coal Mine and reinstate the underground tours is great news for the people of Wonthaggi, for the volunteers who have given their time and expertise over many years and for families with connections to the town’s coalmining days.
Reinvigorating the State Coal Mine Heritage Area will preserve its iconic place in history, but it can also open opportunities for the future. Paul Coulter, in his comment in the Post (July 6, 2023), proposes a tangible vision for the site as a State Coal Mine Energy and Arts Park:
Already the only solar powered coal mine in the world, the site could become a focus for energy education together with arts and culture activities. With Gasworks Arts Park as a model of re-purposing a post-industrial site, it is possible to see a wonderful opportunity of keeping and enhancing the history of mining and the Wonthaggi area at the same time developing an attraction that will promote and encourage culture as well as tourism.
The State Coal Mine was once the engine room of Victoria’s economy. It became the largest coal mine in Australia and ensured Victoria would no longer depend on New South Wales for the coal that generated the energy to drive economic progress.
Already the only solar powered coal mine in the world, the site could become a focus for energy education together with arts and culture activities. With Gasworks Arts Park as a model of re-purposing a post-industrial site, it is possible to see a wonderful opportunity of keeping and enhancing the history of mining and the Wonthaggi area at the same time developing an attraction that will promote and encourage culture as well as tourism.
The State Coal Mine was once the engine room of Victoria’s economy. It became the largest coal mine in Australia and ensured Victoria would no longer depend on New South Wales for the coal that generated the energy to drive economic progress.
| From 1910, quality black coal from the State Coal Mine powered construction of Victoria’s almost 5,000 kilometres of railway network and fuelled the steam locomotives that moved people and produce between towns and cities. When Melbourne’s suburban railways were electrified, Wonthaggi coal generated the power that ran the trains. For decades, coal mined in Wonthaggi kept the lights on and the home fires burning not only in Wonthaggi but inside the houses and through the streets of Victoria’s capital. Now, over a century later, we live in a much-changed world. We know with certainty that carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels have enhanced the greenhouse effect and that global warming is changing Earth’s climate. |  More than memories May 17, 2023 - Like many descendants of Wonthaggi coal miners, Linda Cuttriss has the State Coal Mine in her DNA. |
The predicted effects of sea level rise, extreme weather events, record floods and catastrophic fires caused by a warming climate are already occurring worldwide, and here in Bass Coast severe erosion is changing our coastline and threatening homes and infrastructure.
Action to reduce emissions and transition to renewable energy is urgent and, although change can seem slow, it is underway. In 2017, Victoria was one of the first jurisdictions in the world to legislate a net-zero emissions target. In 2019 Bass Coast Shire Council declared a climate emergency and its Climate Change Action Plan 2020-2030 has a goal of net zero emissions by 2030.
Community action in Bass Coast was spearheaded in 2009 when a group of locals formed the Energy Innovation Co-op. Then came Totally Renewable Phillip Island, Bass Coast Climate Action Network, Bass Coast School Strike for Climate and Totally Renewable Tenby Point.
A partnership between community (Energy Innovation Co-op and Totally Renewable Phillip Island), industry (AusNet, Mondo and TEC-C) and Bass Coast Shire Council resulted in the recent launch of a ‘Big Battery’ on Phillip Island. The Phillip Island Community Energy System is a network storage battery that reduces emissions by replacing the need for diesel generators during peak periods.
Individuals and households are doing what they can to reduce emissions by installing rooftop solar, solar batteries, switching to electric vehicles or by growing their own food, reducing waste or planting trees. Farmers are using carbon farming and regenerative farming techniques.
But there is still much uncertainty in the community and many questions in households about renewable energy. What options are available? What system is suitable for me? Can I afford it? What will work in my situation? What are the long-term costs and benefits? Should I wait until the technology gets cheaper or more efficient? What is community energy and how does it work? How can I learn about new and emerging technologies?
A State Coal Mine Energy and Arts Park could be a place where the local community, school students and visitors discover answers to these questions, learn about our new energy future and understand what they can do now.
The State Coal Mine would be a perfect location for a local Climate Resilience Centre as envisaged in the council’s Climate Change Action Plan. It would support the community with demonstration of key technologies, education relating to climate-resilient homes, information and connection to local projects and community groups, links with primary, secondary and tertiary education and research opportunities.
The Energy Innovation Co-op identified the State Coal Mine as a demonstration site through its ‘Old Energy-New Energy Project’ and in 2019 installed a 90kW solar and 42kWh battery array which powers the heritage area. The power is sold to Parks Victoria who manage the site and the income is used for funding community projects.
Action to reduce emissions and transition to renewable energy is urgent and, although change can seem slow, it is underway. In 2017, Victoria was one of the first jurisdictions in the world to legislate a net-zero emissions target. In 2019 Bass Coast Shire Council declared a climate emergency and its Climate Change Action Plan 2020-2030 has a goal of net zero emissions by 2030.
Community action in Bass Coast was spearheaded in 2009 when a group of locals formed the Energy Innovation Co-op. Then came Totally Renewable Phillip Island, Bass Coast Climate Action Network, Bass Coast School Strike for Climate and Totally Renewable Tenby Point.
A partnership between community (Energy Innovation Co-op and Totally Renewable Phillip Island), industry (AusNet, Mondo and TEC-C) and Bass Coast Shire Council resulted in the recent launch of a ‘Big Battery’ on Phillip Island. The Phillip Island Community Energy System is a network storage battery that reduces emissions by replacing the need for diesel generators during peak periods.
Individuals and households are doing what they can to reduce emissions by installing rooftop solar, solar batteries, switching to electric vehicles or by growing their own food, reducing waste or planting trees. Farmers are using carbon farming and regenerative farming techniques.
But there is still much uncertainty in the community and many questions in households about renewable energy. What options are available? What system is suitable for me? Can I afford it? What will work in my situation? What are the long-term costs and benefits? Should I wait until the technology gets cheaper or more efficient? What is community energy and how does it work? How can I learn about new and emerging technologies?
A State Coal Mine Energy and Arts Park could be a place where the local community, school students and visitors discover answers to these questions, learn about our new energy future and understand what they can do now.
The State Coal Mine would be a perfect location for a local Climate Resilience Centre as envisaged in the council’s Climate Change Action Plan. It would support the community with demonstration of key technologies, education relating to climate-resilient homes, information and connection to local projects and community groups, links with primary, secondary and tertiary education and research opportunities.
The Energy Innovation Co-op identified the State Coal Mine as a demonstration site through its ‘Old Energy-New Energy Project’ and in 2019 installed a 90kW solar and 42kWh battery array which powers the heritage area. The power is sold to Parks Victoria who manage the site and the income is used for funding community projects.
One of the key themes of the council’s Arts and Culture Strategy 2019-2029 is to advocate for a cultural precinct in Wonthaggi. With large attractive grounds overlooking the town and Wonthaggi Theatrical Group’s Theatre Shed and Wonthaggi Seed Bank already located there, the State Coal Mine Heritage Area could become Wonthaggi’s cultural precinct. It could include artist studios, be a place for the creative sector to network, to host workshops and artists in residence and it could fulfil other aspirations of the strategy such as a regional gallery, festivals and events that encourage winter visitation.
Bass Coast’s tourism economy relies on its environment and nature-based activities. A major tourism, energy education and creative community hub that serves the community and draws visitors from far and wide would diversify Bass Coast’s tourism economy and increase its resilience. It would provide an attraction with a difference, a great place to for families to visit, regardless of the weather, and would reduce pressure on Bass Coast’s environment and landscape.
Wonthaggi is one of the fastest growing towns in regional Victoria and its population is predicted to rise by 33 per cent to 18,000 people by 2036. Council’s ‘Wonthaggi Opportunity Unlocked’ aims to support new community and cultural initiatives by partnering with the Victorian Government to unlock the town’s major potential as a regional centre. A State Coal Mine Energy and Arts Park would open opportunities around the themes of energy, education and creativity highlighted in ‘Wonthaggi Opportunity Unlocked’.
At a time of spiralling costs and budget constraints, it is important to consider how a State Coal Mine Energy and Arts Park would be funded. The $1.5 million pledged by the State Government must be dedicated to restoring the mine and reinstating the underground tours.
Development of a climate resilience centre and cultural precinct could be achieved by the community, council and State Government working in partnership with industry, universities and other research organisations. Mutually beneficial relationships would be developed by aligning community, council and State Government aspirations with education, research and industry needs and Federal and State Government funding opportunities. Resources would come from community and research ‘in kind’ support, direct involvement, as well as sponsorship, by the energy industry sector and grant opportunities across regional development, climate change, community and the arts.
Bass Coast’s tourism economy relies on its environment and nature-based activities. A major tourism, energy education and creative community hub that serves the community and draws visitors from far and wide would diversify Bass Coast’s tourism economy and increase its resilience. It would provide an attraction with a difference, a great place to for families to visit, regardless of the weather, and would reduce pressure on Bass Coast’s environment and landscape.
Wonthaggi is one of the fastest growing towns in regional Victoria and its population is predicted to rise by 33 per cent to 18,000 people by 2036. Council’s ‘Wonthaggi Opportunity Unlocked’ aims to support new community and cultural initiatives by partnering with the Victorian Government to unlock the town’s major potential as a regional centre. A State Coal Mine Energy and Arts Park would open opportunities around the themes of energy, education and creativity highlighted in ‘Wonthaggi Opportunity Unlocked’.
At a time of spiralling costs and budget constraints, it is important to consider how a State Coal Mine Energy and Arts Park would be funded. The $1.5 million pledged by the State Government must be dedicated to restoring the mine and reinstating the underground tours.
Development of a climate resilience centre and cultural precinct could be achieved by the community, council and State Government working in partnership with industry, universities and other research organisations. Mutually beneficial relationships would be developed by aligning community, council and State Government aspirations with education, research and industry needs and Federal and State Government funding opportunities. Resources would come from community and research ‘in kind’ support, direct involvement, as well as sponsorship, by the energy industry sector and grant opportunities across regional development, climate change, community and the arts.
The State Coal Mine has deep connections into the community, a band of dedicated volunteers, picturesque grounds and an unforgettable underground tour experience that is unique in the Southern Hemisphere. A State Coal Mine Energy and Arts Park could fulfil shared aspirations that meet the demands of a growing regional centre.
The State Coal Mine Heritage Area is a remarkable legacy with huge potential to become a place where history, community, energy and creativity come together; a place where the past paves the way for the future.
The State Coal Mine Heritage Area is a remarkable legacy with huge potential to become a place where history, community, energy and creativity come together; a place where the past paves the way for the future.