July tech talk: Implementing mining cultural landscapes through the National Geotourism Strategy

Join the Sydney Branch for their July tech talk: Implementing mining cultural landscapes through the National Geotourism Strategy.

About this event

Launching in April 2021 a national strategy for geotourism development, the Australian Geoscience Council Inc (AGC) has engaged the AusIMM through the auspices of its Heritage Committee working with the Societies of Social and Environment and Geoscience as well as its regional branches to determine how best the development of geotourism throughout Australia can enhance the scope of regional development of mining areas during current mining activities and after mine closure.

Geotourism adds considerable holistic content value to traditional nature-based tourism as well as cultural attributes (embracing both Aboriginal and post European settlement) having regard to mining aspects These can be delivered through mechanisms such as geotrails developed within potential GeoRegions, a mechanism that has now been approved nationally and is particularly relevant to New South Wales. By raising awareness of the importance of an area’s geological and mining heritage in society today, geotourism gives local people a sense of pride in a GeoRegion and strengthens their identification with it.

In recognition of these benefits, Geotourism Australia embraces seven strategic goals that includes (Strategic Goal 5) i.e., ‘to develop geotourism in regional mining communities with potential geoheritage and cultural heritage sites.’ The THRIVE 2030 Visitor Economy Strategy (Action 7.5) of the Australian Government calls for the growth and development of high-quality products and experiences around unique Australian locations and themes, including approaches which integrate sustainable nature tourism with economic opportunities for Traditional Owners, and capitalising on emerging tourism trends such as geotourism.’ The acknowledgement of Aboriginal cultural heritage beyond the benefits offered through geotourism includes the need to ensure it is appropriately protected. This will ensure the preservation of Aboriginal cultural heritage is as important as that of mining and other aspects of cultural landscapes, thus leading to improving the public perception of mining professionals and the industries in which they work.  

Speaker/s

Angus M Robinson

FAusIMM(CP)

Managing Director, Leisure Solutions Pty Ltd

Read more Hide

Joining The AusIMM as a student in 1968, Angus is an exploration geologist by profession and training and now is currently engaged in geotourism activities. In recent years he has served in a pro-bono capacity as Coordinator, for AGC’s Geotourism Australia www.geotourismaustralia.org.au and is also an Advisor on geotourism for EnviroMETS Qld Ltd, an agency improving residual outcomes from mining operations.

A former two-term Councillor of The AusIMM, he is also a longstanding member of the Heritage Committee of The AusIMM, and currently a member of its Social & Environment Society Management Committee. Over the past 30 years, Angus has been engaged in leadership roles relating to technology diffusion through The Warren Centre for Advanced Engineering at The University of Sydney, technology park development, and as Chief Executive of a major manufacturing industry association. He currently trades as Managing Director of Leisure Solutions Pty Ltd, a business that specialises in tourism marketing and business management services.