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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