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Costerfield Precinct

Other Name

An area corresponding to the former mining lease boundary and cadashal boundaries and encompassing the intersection of Reservoir Road, Nagambie-Heathcote Road, Costerfield-Redcastle Road, Donnelly's Lane and North Costerfield-Heathcote Road

Location

Donelly's Lane, Costerfield - Redcastle, Heathcote-Nagambie, Reservoir and North Costerfield Heathcote Roads, COSTERFIELD, GREATER BENDIGO CITY

Level

Included in Heritage Overlay

[1/2]
73478 Costerfield Town map
[2/2]
1133 Nagambie- Heathcote Road,

Statement of Significance

What is Significant?

The Costerfield Gold and Antimony Mining Precinct consists of three sites including the Bombay Mine, Minerva Mine and Costerfield Main shaft. The precinct has a range of concrete, brick and timber foundations and mining earthworks that are remnants of ore extraction and processing operations from the 1890s to the 1940s. (Heritage Victoria H1298)

The township of Costerfield including the remaining mine buildings and other buildings included in the schedule below is significant.

How is it significant?

The Costerfield Township Precinct is of local historic, aesthetic and social significance to the City of Greater Bendigo. The Costerfield Gold and Antimony Mining Precinct is of historical, archaeological and scientific importance to the State of Victoria.

Why is it significant?

The Costerfield sites have a unique history among other Victorian gold mines. Although rich in gold, Costerfield ore became renowned for its antimony content. On three different occasions, 1861-83, 1905-22 and 1935-51 the complex ore was mined with great success. Costerfield was also historically important during the First World War when it was a major supplier of antimony to the British Government, the metal being vital for the manufacture of munitions. Criterion A

The remaining buildings in Costerfield demonstrate tangible evidence of a mining town that was active over a period of nearly ninety years. The buildings, although scattered throughout the precinct are of importance in providing a township setting to the mine and in understanding the relationship between the industry and those who worked there. The buildings provide evidence of the way of life of the township including social, religious and educational and recreational life as demonstrated by the church, school, hall, shop and former hotel, as well as a number of houses and cottages of different periods. Criterion C

Since 2006 Costerfield has again been the location of gold and antimony mining and although the present mining operations are conducted in a larger and more industrialised manner, Costerfield has significance for a new generation of people associated with the mining industry. Criterion G

Group