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

South West Region of W.A. Geographically small Most populated 12 L.G.A’s Mediterranean climate Low unemployment Diverse economy Annual gross regional product $5.0 billion in 2001/02 Clean environment and attractive lifestyle

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%

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

Economic Benefits of Coal Mining Direct employment Indirect employment Injection of funds into local economy Royalties to the State Economic benefits underpin social capital

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

Changing Landscape for Coal Changes for Australia’s traditional industries National Competition Policy 1995 Competition from gas Restructuring to improve efficiencies Increasingly capital intensive More production but less workers

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).

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

‘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)

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

‘Working Life’ Heritage Trail 20 heritage sites Mutual benefit policy Propensity for multiple visits The human dimension

Collie Entrance Tourism Precinct Themed tourism precinct Diversify economic base Learning journey Capitalise on the competitive advantage Tap into the emerging heritage market

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

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

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