Joanna Tucker, Yorke Peninsula Country Times

Work is continuing towards the Australian Cornish Mining Sites: Burra and Moonta World Heritage bid, with the possibility heritage status may be achieved as soon as next year.

As reported in March (Moonta steps closer to World Heritage status, YPCT [Yorke Peninsula Country Times] 12-3-25), the mining sites can achieve World Heritage listing by 2028 if they submit a preliminary assessment to UNESCO by September.

However, there is also an opportunity to skip the preliminary assessment, so World Heritage consultant Barry Gamble has decided to endorse the parallel preparation of a full World Heritage nomination.

This will mean that, if a slot becomes available, the sites could be considered for World Heritage status as early as 2026.

Mr Gamble has confirmed that the Preliminary Assessment Request document has been prepared, with the Nomination Document for inscription on the World Heritage List closely following, “almost in parallel”.

He said the bid team, which includes various stakeholders and broader community involvement, is sustaining a huge effort to progress the nomination.

“Recent support pledged by both State and Commonwealth (governments) has energised the nomination process,” Mr Gamble said.

While the nomination dossier could be theoretically ready for UNESCO consideration in 2026, Mr Gamble noted that this is not the preferred route, with the consortium instead opting for the Preliminary Assessment — a newer process within the World Heritage system that has Australia’s endorsement.

This process was recently outlined at council and community update events.

“Time slots for whichever route to World Heritage are determined by the nominating country, and by UNESCO’s rules,” Mr Gamble said.

“The Burra and Moonta Consortium simply wants to be ready, standing by, for when that time comes.”

In the meantime, work is continuing on the ground at both Burra and Moonta Mines to prepare for eventual evaluation.

“World Heritage is ‘the best of the best’, and we want to present the sites accordingly,” he said.

“Patience — and determination — are in no short supply.”

Potential heritage status next year – Council backs next step

At its monthly meeting on May 7, Copper Coast Council endorsed the draft preliminary assessment and supported the preparation of the full World Heritage nomination document and dossier.

The meeting agenda noted that, while bypassing the preliminary assessment is not the preferred timeline, it is still achievable with effort from all stakeholders.

“Whilst every effort is being made to secure the 2025 timeslot for preliminary assessment, only one per country per year is permitted,” it reads.

“Therefore, it is not guaranteed and subject to many considerations including political commitments.

“Preparing the two documents in parallel creates efficiencies for time and resources, as well as opportunity to be in a state of readiness if an opportunity for full nomination becomes available.”

Once the preliminary assessment has been endorsed by all stakeholders, the agenda states it will be forwarded to the SA Government for further endorsement before being sent to the Commonwealth and Ambassador.

“Along with the World Heritage nomination, a comprehensive dossier is also in progress and will detail all the requirements for site and regional tourism management going forward,” it reads.

“Combined with the nomination, the dossier will provide a compelling argument for World Heritage Listing.

“There is a high degree of positivity of achieving World Heritage status.

Upping the ante

National Trust of South Australia Moonta branch’s Graham Hancock said skipping the preliminary assessment is the way to go.

“If we can do it — I strongly support it.

“A lot of work has been done, but there is still a lot to do,” Mr Hancock said.

“A decision like this will actually up the ante on our work progress to make sure we’re ready.”

Mr Hancock highlighted recent achievements at the Moonta Mines site, including the completion of part of the Elder’s Loop Trail last week.

“To see the completion of the walkway to the top of the skimp heap (old Richmans skimp dump) actually gives us a whole new dimension of the understanding of our mining area because you can see so far and wide around the historic site,” he said.

“This is just one of the jobs that needed to be done, and it’s finished.”

The Elder’s Loop Trail is not yet open. 

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 20 May 2025.