Historical Archaeology Management Plan, Ballarat

• Historical Archaeology Management Plan, Ballarat

  Heritage Victoria Report on Historical Archaeology Management Plan, Ballarat, for the Heritage Council of Victoria

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In 2023, Heritage Victoria received funding from the Heritage Council of Victoria to prepare an Historical Archaeology Management Plan for parts of the Victorian Goldfields, with a particular focus on the city of Ballarat. The aim of the project was to develop a strategic plan to identify the location of historical archaeological sites in Ballarat and replicate the highly successful archaeology management plan that has been in operation in the Melbourne CBD for some time.

The new management plan for Ballarat draws on the results of recent research on the effects of mining waste on the landscape of the city in the nineteenth century. The report uses innovative new technologies called Digital Elevation Models of Difference (DoDs) to indicate the amount of ground level change that may have occurred. The significant landscape alterations that have taken place have wide-reaching implications for the survival and condition of archaeological remains throughout the goldfields.

A detailed program of background historical research has been undertaken to identify places that were once the focus of mining, settlement or other activity in the nineteenth century, and where archaeological remains may still survive. Individual sites have been assessed for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Inventory – the listing of all known historical archaeological sites in the state. As a result of this study, 90 new archaeological sites have been added to the Heritage Inventory in Ballarat. Eight other sites from the townships of Gowar, Fryerstown, Yapeen, Chewton and Vaughan have also been included.

As a result of the study new levels of protection now apply for the recorded sites. If works are proposed at Heritage Inventory sites that may affect archaeological remains, it is necessary to obtain a Heritage Act Consent to authorise any site disturbance. In most cases, a program of archaeological investigation, recording, reporting and artefact management will be required as conditions on any issued Consent.

The addition of a large number of sites to the Heritage Inventory, the identification of key historical sources and records that provide information about the goldfield’s towns, and new information about the landscape changes that were caused by the biproducts of goldmining are some of the key outcomes of this project. The implementation of the project will lead to an increase in the number of excavations in the historic townships, which will provide another dimension to our understanding and appreciation of the goldfields and their archaeology.