Airly Shales Mine

The project

Location: Mugii-Murum-ban State Conservation Area.

Artefact was contracted by National Parks & Wildlife NSW to prepare a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) for the historic Airly Shale Mine, located northwest of Lithgow. The mine is a locally significant site for its historic, aesthetic and social values.

Established in the c.1880s, the Airly Shale Mine Infrastructure is a place of local heritage significance within a State Conservation Area. The site’s integrity overall is substantially impacted by its dilapidation which limits the ability for the place to demonstrate its significant values at a State level.

Heritage solution

The CMP included a review and gap analysis, historical context, significance assessment, archaeological management, Aboriginal archaeological management, policies, fabric management, and an inventory sheet review and update. There are 17 items which form the precinct.

The study area is limited to the walking track along the ridge of the mountain and excludes Airly Shale Village, Torbane and Genowlan, focusing on the structures which sit within the NPWS NSW jurisdiction.

Outcomes

Whilst the CMP was focused on providing guidance for the future maintenance and conservation of the site, it also identified opportunities for further research at Airly Shale Mine Infrastructure.

The CMP included a Comparative Analysis of similar mining structures of the period around NSW, as well as a Cyclical Maintenance Schedule, Landscape Maintenance and Dilapidation Survey.

In addition, a key component of the CMP was a Heritage Interpretation Plan which was developed in consultation with stakeholders to ensure the preservation of heritage values. The CMP was delivered in a timely manner.