A joint commitment has recently been made between Wollongong Coal Limited (WCL) and Sheargold Property Developments to secure and refurbish historic pieces from nearby Wongawilli Mine to become permanent features in the nearby master planned community.
These items, once served the demands of the Wongawilli Coal Mine for decades, have been retired for a number of years making way for more modern equipment. And rather than being left laid to rest on the foot hills of the Illawarra Escarpment, they will be carefully restored to become important historic displays for the Vista Park community to cherish, only a stone-throw from where they once operated.
Some of the most interesting mining items include a large cylindrical Boiler almost 9 metres in length, a series of steel Arbor’s, and a Railman Car used to transport workers to and from the surface into the mine shafts - which wouldn’t be out of place in a sci-fi film.
Sheargold Managing Director, Michael Sheargold, said of the cooperative approach “We greatly appreciate Wollongong Coal’s generosity in allowing Vista Park to access these fascinating artefacts and Wollongong City Council for sharing and supporting the vision. We strive to preserve the history and heritage of Wongawilli throughout this new community and these items will become key features in Bankbook Park which we are sure will be become an iconic public space for the region.”
Work has already commenced and we will be updating you through the process.
