Gross incompetence or willful inaction

WITHOUT doubt, the iconic State Coal Mine at Wonthaggi is the town’s largest and most important tourist attraction. Had the State Coal Mine not been established 114 years ago, there would be no town of Wonthaggi today.

A public meeting was held last year to discuss the ongoing plight of the mine and concern for its future and hundreds attended. The underground tours of the mine ceased operation three years ago and the onsite café, which is vital to the success of the tourist attraction, closed twelve months ago. 

As a result of the public meeting, considerable anger was expressed that this important tourist attraction had been allowed to run down to the point that permanent closure seemed likely. 

There was great excitement when the Government announced that $1.5 million would be allocated to upgrade elements of the mine deemed necessary for safety reasons and that the café would be leased and reopened.

Disgracefully, even though the Government committed $1.5 million dollars six months ago, nothing constructive has happened to reopen the facility. The main reason the underground tours are not operating is because the drift car is in need of repair but languishes stuck in a container whilst Wonthaggi’s major tourist attraction remains a shell of its former self.

Melbourne-based senior management of Parks Victoria need to be held accountable for their disgraceful inaction and incompetent management. If the Government does not insist they perform and have this tourist attraction fully reopened very soon, I predict Wonthaggi will see the largest turnout at a public meeting held in the town in the past fifty years. There is a tenant waiting to open the café and qualified, highly competent and experienced engineers available to repair and upgrade the drift car and any other items necessary to facilitate the re-opening of the mine within weeks. The clock is ticking.

Alan Brown, Wattle Bank