Parks Victoria staff and Friends of the State Coal Mine met to discuss the much-delayed upgrade
of the heritage site. Photos: Dyonn Dimmock
of the heritage site. Photos: Dyonn Dimmock
By Catherine Watson
“IT’S complicated! But we’re working through it. I ask you to be patient for a bit longer.”
That was the message from the head of Parks Victoria, Lee Miezis, when he visited Wonthaggi on Friday to meet with the Friends of the State Coal Mine and talk about the much-delayed upgrade of the heritage site.
Some of the Friends had braced for bad news, fearing the long-awaited project was to be abandoned. Instead, Mr Miezis’s reassurance that the upgrade remains a priority for Parks Victoria came as a relief.
“IT’S complicated! But we’re working through it. I ask you to be patient for a bit longer.”
That was the message from the head of Parks Victoria, Lee Miezis, when he visited Wonthaggi on Friday to meet with the Friends of the State Coal Mine and talk about the much-delayed upgrade of the heritage site.
Some of the Friends had braced for bad news, fearing the long-awaited project was to be abandoned. Instead, Mr Miezis’s reassurance that the upgrade remains a priority for Parks Victoria came as a relief.
The Friends group, one of the largest volunteer organisations in Victoria, provides tour guides, maintains the gardens, buildings and equipment, and raises funds to help preserve the site. For many, the connection is personal: they are the sons, daughters, grandchildren and neighbours of the miners who once worked underground.
Now they wanted to know what had happened to the $1.5 million announced by the State Government back in July 2023 to reopen the popular underground tours.
Now they wanted to know what had happened to the $1.5 million announced by the State Government back in July 2023 to reopen the popular underground tours.
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The funding was meant to cover essential maintenance and upgrades to the track and skip that carry visitors into the mine, as well as training for volunteers and Parks Victoria staff to operate the system safely.
Yet, 27 months later, work has still not begun. The underground tours finally resumed in 2024 after a three-year hiatus, but without the skip — visitors must now walk in and out of the mine, a steep and uneven journey that excludes people with mobility issues and limits who can take part. As the Friends pointed out on Friday, it’s also getting harder for the ageing guides themselves. Mr Miezis didn’t sugar coat the delays. “Two and a half years is too long,” he said. “Accountability stops with me.” |
Going underground Underground walking tours at the old State Coal Mine began in 1982, attracting more than 10,000 visitors a year by 2020. Tourists rode a custom-made skip down the tunnel to hear stories of life underground from the Friends — many with family ties to the miners themselves. When Covid struck, the tours stopped. By the time normal life resumed, mechanical failures had sidelined the skip, which was sent to Bendigo for repairs but failed to meet updated safety regulations. Tours resumed in 2024, but until a new system is installed, visitors must walk in and out of the mine. |
(The apology was generous, given he was only appointed CEO in April and has visited the Friends twice since then.)
He explained that when Parks Victoria began repairing the passenger drift cart, they discovered far more work was required than expected.
“The complication is that the site has to meet two different sets of safety regulations – one for a working mine and another for a tourist attraction – both onerous in different ways,” he said. “We have to do make-safe works first, then we’ll move into design.”
Despite the setbacks, he stressed that the project remains a priority, as evidenced by the crew of six Parks Victoria senior staff at the meeting, along with Bass MP Jordan Crugnale.
“We share your aspirations. This is an incredible site and an incredible asset — it’s unique. We’re working closely with Heritage Victoria and our own heritage advisers to ensure the safety works don’t change the look and feel of this place.
"The ball is rolling. Once the permits are in place, things will move quickly.”
Old winder, new rules
Friends president Moz Wilson read a letter from revered local engineer Danny Carr, urging Parks Victoria to stop wasting time and money and simply use the existing mine winder to power the drift cart.
Parks Victoria project manager Ned Cutcliffe said the winder was indeed in good condition, but unfortunately it could not meet today’s amusement ride safety standards.
“The rules around amusement devices are incredibly strict,” he said. “That’s what we have to deliver. It will be cheaper in the long run to modernise to meet those safety standards.”
He said engineers were investigating various options, including a battery-powered system, to drive the cart. “It’s an extremely challenging site because of the confined underground space. It will come down to clever design and contractor innovation.”
Mr Miezis added that even if the old winder couldn’t be used as part of the underground experience, Parks Victoria would look for ways to celebrate its engineering heritage.
He also promised greater transparency and better communication with the Friends as the project moves forward.
He explained that when Parks Victoria began repairing the passenger drift cart, they discovered far more work was required than expected.
“The complication is that the site has to meet two different sets of safety regulations – one for a working mine and another for a tourist attraction – both onerous in different ways,” he said. “We have to do make-safe works first, then we’ll move into design.”
Despite the setbacks, he stressed that the project remains a priority, as evidenced by the crew of six Parks Victoria senior staff at the meeting, along with Bass MP Jordan Crugnale.
“We share your aspirations. This is an incredible site and an incredible asset — it’s unique. We’re working closely with Heritage Victoria and our own heritage advisers to ensure the safety works don’t change the look and feel of this place.
"The ball is rolling. Once the permits are in place, things will move quickly.”
Old winder, new rules
Friends president Moz Wilson read a letter from revered local engineer Danny Carr, urging Parks Victoria to stop wasting time and money and simply use the existing mine winder to power the drift cart.
Parks Victoria project manager Ned Cutcliffe said the winder was indeed in good condition, but unfortunately it could not meet today’s amusement ride safety standards.
“The rules around amusement devices are incredibly strict,” he said. “That’s what we have to deliver. It will be cheaper in the long run to modernise to meet those safety standards.”
He said engineers were investigating various options, including a battery-powered system, to drive the cart. “It’s an extremely challenging site because of the confined underground space. It will come down to clever design and contractor innovation.”
Mr Miezis added that even if the old winder couldn’t be used as part of the underground experience, Parks Victoria would look for ways to celebrate its engineering heritage.
He also promised greater transparency and better communication with the Friends as the project moves forward.
Clockwise from top left, Parks Victoria CEO Lee Miezis, Bass MP Jordan Crugnale, former miner eg Wilson and former mine engineer Danny Carr. Friends cautiously optimistic
For many in the room, the tone of the meeting was a turning point. Rod McLean said that while he was disappointed the old winder couldn’t be used, he was heartened by the CEO’s commitment.
“All I’m interested in is getting the mine going again. I feel as though Parks Victoria is behind us, and that impresses me.”
Sheila Ormerod appreciated the direct engagement. “It’s positive that you’ve actually come down to talk to us,” she said.
Dyonn Dimmock said there was huge potential to expand the site’s tourism offering. “Heaps of wonderful ideas have come from the community that would generate income for the park.”
And Moz Wilson summed it up with quiet pride: “This is the only mine in the southern hemisphere where you can actually go underground. It’s unique.”
For many in the room, the tone of the meeting was a turning point. Rod McLean said that while he was disappointed the old winder couldn’t be used, he was heartened by the CEO’s commitment.
“All I’m interested in is getting the mine going again. I feel as though Parks Victoria is behind us, and that impresses me.”
Sheila Ormerod appreciated the direct engagement. “It’s positive that you’ve actually come down to talk to us,” she said.
Dyonn Dimmock said there was huge potential to expand the site’s tourism offering. “Heaps of wonderful ideas have come from the community that would generate income for the park.”
And Moz Wilson summed it up with quiet pride: “This is the only mine in the southern hemisphere where you can actually go underground. It’s unique.”
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March 25, 2023 - A double blow has left Wonthaggi’s premiere – and only – tourist attraction reeling. Catherine Watson reports
March 25, 2023 - A double blow has left Wonthaggi’s premiere – and only – tourist attraction reeling. Catherine Watson reports