Hello everyone,
In last week’s edition of YOUR INDIGO we featured a story about the possible National Heritage Listing of the historic Beechworth Administrative Precinct. This has certainly generated plenty of interest, so I wanted to talk more about this and what it will mean for the Shire if we are successful.
At present, the Australian Heritage Council is conducting further comprehensive research, consulting with site owners and undertaking community engagement. There are significant benefits for the whole Shire if the precinct is added to the national list, most notably through a predicted increase in visitor numbers. A national listing would see the Beechworth Administrative Precinct listed alongside the Sydney Opera House and Fremantle Prison as a place of outstanding heritage significance to the nation. We anticipate that annual visitation to the precinct alone could increase from the current 27,000 to 100,000, with flow on effects across all our heritage towns and sites. An additional 75,000 visitors a year could generate more $20M into the local economy. While we don’t want to be too pre-emptive, we are excited about where the process is at and we are encouraging our committed and passionate cultural heritage supporters to let the national team know how proud you are of Beechworth’s rich heritage and the significance to our past, present and future. Finally on a completely unrelated topic, let's all get behind the struggling Wahgunyah Football Club this weekend and show our support, especially with Brownlow medallist Jason Akermanis pulling on the Lions guernsey for a one-off appearance. The club is hoping for a bumper crowd to help lift spirits and hopefully get a win on the board. Our sporting clubs are the lifeblood of many communities and we need to stand by them through good times and bad. Take care and stay safe.
Regards Sophie Price