Cultural Heritage
A Landscape of Deep Significance
The Lerderderg Gorge and State Park is more than a natural wonder—it is a living record of Indigenous heritage, Australia’s colonial past, and geological history. For thousands of years, the Wurundjeri and Wathaurong peoples have held deep cultural and spiritual connections to this land, with its sacred waterways, distinctive rock formations, and abundant ecosystems.
Now, this irreplaceable landscape is under threat. The Western Renewables Link proposes to scar this historic terrain with 80m-high, 500kV transmission towers, disrupting a site of profound cultural importance. Once lost, this heritage can never be restored.
A Protected Heritage River Under Attack
The Lerderderg River is one of Victoria’s eighteen Heritage Rivers, legally protected under the Heritage Rivers Act 1992 (Vic) due to its:
- High conservation value – home to unique flora and fauna
- Cultural significance – sacred to Indigenous communities
- Scenic and recreational importance – a destination for nature lovers and tourists
Yet, despite these legal protections, the WRL threatens to industrialise this protected landscape, disregarding generations of cultural, environmental, and historical preservation efforts.
Indigenous Cultural Heritage Under Threat
For the Wurundjeri and Wathaurong peoples, the Lerderderg River and surrounding landscapes are more than just land—they are ancestral lands woven into Dreaming stories and cultural practices. This area contains sacred sites, ceremonial grounds, and artifacts that must be respected and preserved.
Overhead transmission lines will irreversibly disrupt this sacred connection, destroying cultural landscapes that have existed for millennia.
An Iconic Scenic Landscape Ruined Forever
The Lerderderg Gorge is one of Victoria’s most visually striking natural landmarks, offering breathtaking views of:
- Sweeping hills blanketed in native vegetation
- Dramatic ridges and river gorges shaped over millennia
- Uninterrupted panoramas that define Victoria’s wild beauty
But the construction of towering steel powerlines will permanently ruin these scenic vistas, turning a National Trust-listed landscape into an industrial eyesore.
A National Trust-Listed Landscape Deserves Protection
The National Trust of Australia recognises the Lerderderg River and State Park for its exceptional geological, scenic, and cultural importance. The Victorian Land Conservation Council also classifies this region as having state-significant heritage value.
If these towers are allowed to cut through this protected land, it will set a dangerous precedent—where protected heritage is ignored for corporate energy interests.
A Legacy of Gold, Lost to Infrastructure
The Lerderderg region is also a site of significant European history, with gold discovered in Blackwood in 1851. The area saw thriving mining communities, and relics of this era—water races, mine shafts, stone walls, and historic dwellings—still exist today.
These heritage sites serve as a reminder of Victoria’s pioneering past, but once industrial-scale powerlines carve through the landscape, much of this history will be lost beneath construction sites and easements.
Protect Our Cultural and Historical Legacy
Once built, these massive steel towers will stand for generations, serving as a permanent scar on Victoria’s cultural and environmental heritage. We must demand better, ensuring that renewable energy projects respect and preserve our shared history.
There is a better way—transmission infrastructure must be placed underground in sensitive cultural and historical areas. If we don’t act now, we risk losing this priceless heritage forever.