Broken Hill’s outstanding significance to the nation for its role in creating enormous wealth, its enduring and continuing mining, importance to industrial relations and unionism, community resilience and ingenuity as well as its mining and outback landscape has been recognised though a city wide heritage listing.
Federal Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt bestowed the honour on the city at a presentation in front of the Town Hall Façade, one of the city’s significant heritage-listed buildings.
The announcement brings together more than a decade of work and advocacy to have the city named as Australia’s first Heritage City.
Mayor Wincen Cuy said it was a proud moment for the community.
“Blood, sweat, tears and very good times have been part and parcel of our history.
“And while today’s announcement looks at our past, our National Heritage Listing is now very much about our future.
“This recognition positions Broken Hill as the only entire Australian City to be awarded National Heritage Listing and therefore recognition as the most significant heritage tourism city within Australia.
“This prestigious citation will raise the international profile of Broken Hill, upgrade our visitor economy and provide our resilient community with momentum to endure in our efforts towards economic diversification.”
The Australian Heritage Council (AHC) assessed the city against nine values.
For Broken Hill these included its historic mining and industrial relations importance, 125 years of continuous mining activity, mining inventions and aesthetics.
“We are often spoken of as unique and distinct; a place like no other,” Mayor Cuy said.
“We exhibit the strongest of qualities as a community.
“We have spirit, resilience, determination and a commitment to supporting each other.
“Equally strong is our history and identity, a place known across Australia through the history of mining and workers’ struggles, and as a place where history is ever-present.
“We are a proud community and this citation is wonderful recognition of all who have made Broken Hill what it is today, and will continue to make our great city into the future.”
Mayor Cuy said there were many to thank for the award, but the announcement was a community celebration.
“We have had many great supporters of this application.
“Their efforts have been realised today.
“This is another significant milestone in our colourful and unique history and one that should be shared and celebrated by the whole of our community.”
