Media Release: World Heritage Bid for Australian Cornish Mining Sites captures national attention

The Copper Coast Council, along with consortium partners the Regional Council of Goyder and National Trust SA is proud to announce significant progress in the World Heritage bid for the Australian Cornish Mining Sites: Burra and Moonta.

On Thursday, April 11, Chief Executive Officer Dylan Strong and Community Engagement Coordinator Holly Cowan met with The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for Environment and Water, on Narungga land in Warooka. This pivotal meeting is part of a decade-long effort to elevate the National Heritage sites of Burra and Moonta to World Heritage status.

CEO Strong said the meeting was "highly constructive in a bid propelled by community initiative and self-funding."

"It underscored the ongoing advocacy efforts of the Consortium. It is imperative that we maintain our advocacy to all levels of government to achieve the recognition this bid deserves," Mr Strong said.

"This bid encapsulates a 10-year collaboration between the Councils and National Trust SA to secure World Heritage status. The successful inscription will be a transformative event, placing our region firmly on the world stage."

The Australian Cornish Mining Sites Consortium, comprising the Copper Coast Council, Regional Council of Goyder and National Trust SA, has been diligently working with State and Federal Government officials to progress the nomination to a Tentative listing.

The story of the Australian Cornish Mining Sites is a testament to global technology exchange, cultural transfer and significant migrations that have shaped the nation. The sites of Burra and Moonta stand as preeminent examples of Cornish mining outside of Cornwall and west Devon, reflecting the profound global impact of Cornish mining techniques and community planning.

In 2023, the lead agencies formed a Consortium and have been continuing their collaboration with Barry Gamble, a renowned world-heritage consultant from Cornwall. Mr. Gamble's expertise is instrumental in developing the Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) and the World Heritage Nomination Dossier that will be prepared for delivery in August 2025.

Looking ahead, the Consortium eagerly anticipates the visit of Deputy Premier Susan Close MP to Moonta and Burra at the end of May. This visit will serve as a formal endorsement of the bid's progression to Australia’'s World Heritage Tentative list.

Enquiries:

Holly Cowan
Community Engagement Coordinator
Copper Coast Council
Ph: 8828 1200

Barb Button
Community Development Manager
Regional Council of Goyder
Ph: 8892 0100
burramoontaworldheritage.com.au