Industrial Heritage Tourism as a Response to Employment
Contraction in the Western Australian Coal Industry ? Alan Cross,
Regional Coordinator Bunbury Wellington, South West Development
Commission
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South West Region of W.A. Geographically small Most populated
12 L.G.As Mediterranean climate Low unemployment Diverse economy
Annual gross regional product $5.0 billion in 2001/02 Clean
environment and attractive lifestyle
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General Statistics Shire of Collie New building approvals
(2001/02): $4 million Unemployment rate (March 2003): 9.3% Average
taxable income p.a. (1999/2000): $40,993 Average property sale vale
(2002): $69,579 Population (2002): 9,105 Population growth rate
(2001/02): 0.4%
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Coal Mining in the South West Extracted in Collie since 1890
Open cut techniques since 1943 Resource of 1,400 million tonnes
Excellent for base load power Export difficulties Premier Coal
& Griffin Coal Western Power largest buyer Value of Production
$258 million Public opinion
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Economic Benefits of Coal Mining Direct employment Indirect
employment Injection of funds into local economy Royalties to the
State Economic benefits underpin social capital
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Social Benefits of Coal Mining Development of social capital
Shaped an identity Unique culture Special character within the
South West Underpin and fund community institutions Leveraged
social infrastructure
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Changing Landscape for Coal Changes for Australias traditional
industries National Competition Policy 1995 Competition from gas
Restructuring to improve efficiencies Increasingly capital
intensive More production but less workers
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Reinventing Yourself Independent Marketing Strategy 1998
Empirical evidence suggests the biggest problem for the Collie
River Valley is the image of a dirty mining town (Jung, Lautrec
& Shaw, 1998).
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In Search of New Tourism Opportunities for Collie CRV a great
place to Live, Visit & Invest Nature-based tourism Adventure
tourism Motor sport tourism Wine tourism Industrial Heritage
Tourism
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Industrial Heritage Tourism a definition Industrial heritage
tourism forms a distinctive, but under researched, subset of the
wider field of heritage tourism, - i.e., tourism at sites with
history as their main theme or attraction. In this broadest
context, industrial heritage tourism is concerned with encouraging
visitation to man-made sites, buildings, and landscapes that
originated with industrial processes from earlier periods. Edwards
& Llurdes i Coit (1996)
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Development of Industrial Heritage Tourism UK, Europe & USA
Paralleled the development of the tourism and leisure sector
Declining industrial and manufacturing sectors The Australian
experience Changing face of heritage
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Working Life Heritage Trail 20 heritage sites Mutual benefit
policy Propensity for multiple visits The human dimension
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Collie Entrance Tourism Precinct Themed tourism precinct
Diversify economic base Learning journey Capitalise on the
competitive advantage Tap into the emerging heritage market
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Challenge of Authenticity Problem of authenticity Visitor
facilities Honesty and factual accuracy The bare stones dilemma
Black Gold replica mine Some acceptance of staged authenticity
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Industrial Heritage Tourism as Tool for Industry Supplement
profits Allay public environmental concerns A gift of nature
brought to life Assert their community integrity New Coal campaign
Western Five Lake
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Conclusion Further restructuring and job losses An enduring
coal industry Industrial heritage tourism will create jobs
Capitalise on its difference Special identity and culture An
authentic experience