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 In 1833 coal was discovered at Plunkett Point. The mine became a supply of coal to the colony, replacing shipment from NSW. Operating as a secondary punishment station to Port Arthur, there was a complex system of convict labour, both skilled and unskilled, military and civilian personnel. The mines closed as a Government enterprise in 1848. Private leases operated until the final one expired in 1901. At one time 600 people were housed on the site including women and children. The 'Coal Mines' are unique in Australia in containing the only extant remains of a penal colliery. They are managed by Parks & Wildlife Service. In the early 1990's the site was deteriorating at a rapid rate. There were serious structural and safety issues due to the collapse of building fabric and neglect. By 1997 when a Management Plan was prepared for the site there had been five years of conservation works carried out resulting in the site being well on the way to stabilisation. There was, however, the problem of ad hoc development on the site, such as inappropriately sited roads, carparks, toilets and camping areas. The greatest pressure on the Coal Mines was devaluation of the site by the Tasmanian community through neglect. The appearance of disinterest encouraged negative activities such as removal of artefacts, misinformation and lost opportunity for full appreciation of this remarkable place. In 2002 the Coal Mines Historic Site Development Upgrade was completed. The project, initiated by the Tasmanian Heritage Office implemented recommendations of the Management Plan as well updating the approach to integration of infrastructure and conservation into the sites' interpretation. Roads, carparks and toilets have been relocated away from key and sensitive points. Walking tracks and interpretation nodes are now in place to move the visitor around the site and link the industrial and convict aspects. The project took a cautionary approach to impacting a site that was appreciated for its natural beauty as well as its historic value. Interpretation panels on the site are discrete and minimal in location and appearance. The visitor is exposed to themes and information before entering the site at the interpretation centre located between the carpark and site. Jo Lyngcoln |
