Campaspe Shire Council has rejected a request from the Rushworth and District Historical Society to install two directional signs to an unofficial burial ground containing the remains of at least 40 people who died locally during the goldfields era.
The historical society, dedicated to preserving and sharing the region’s history, installed an information board at the site in August 2025, outlining its history as a burial ground used before the town’s current cemetery came into official use.
In September 2025, the historical society asked council to install two fingerboard signs directing visitors to the site from the Rushworth-Whroo Rd.
Council director infrastructure and environment Kate Lemon said the decision followed a site assessment and consultation with the Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
Council officers were advised that one access point was an informal track not established by DEECA and was not scheduled for an upgrade.
The second access point was assessed as unsafe because of its proximity to a crest, the 100km/h speed limit and insufficient sight distances that do not meet Australian standards.
“These factors present a significant hazard for vehicles exiting the site,” Ms Lemon said.
“Council concluded that installing directional signs at either access point would be inconsistent with its responsibilities regarding public safety and would contribute to further environmental impact.”
Historical society member Alan McLean questioned council's commitment to regional history.
“If Campaspe is serious about joining with other shires seeking UNESCO World Heritage listing for the central goldfields, it needs to show some genuine consideration of a suggested two small signs to a heritage feature,” Mr McLean said.
The historic goldfields of Rushworth and Whroo are included in the Central Victorian Goldfields’ World Heritage Tentative Listing, with the proposed listing expected to deliver significant economic benefits to the region.
“Signs or no signs, there is safety issue anyway, where the burial ground track rejoins the Whroo Rd,” Mr McLean said.
“All this could be addressed if the shire, Parks Victoria and other interested parties could be encouraged to meet on site, to consider options.”
Ms Lemon said council remained open to continuing discussions with the historical society regarding alternative ways to improve visitor access and awareness of the site.
She said there had been no request for a joint on-site inspection, but indicated future opportunities, including the World Heritage Goldfields bid, could allow authorities to consider access, traffic management, parking and signage as part of a co-ordinated approach.
DEECA declined to provide a separate comment, stating that council made the decision and that DEECA’s role was as a referral authority.
For Rushworth, the issue raises a broader question about how the town’s goldfields heritage can be made accessible to visitors while ensuring the infrastructure leading to those sites is safe.
7°C