Broken Hill icon set to be revitalised after years collecting dust
One of the main questions Shane Goodwin is asked by tourists and locals about the towering mound of ore that overlooks Broken Hill is “do you know what’s happening up there?”
Now he can say that after years spent collecting dust the vacant Line of Lode complex is set for a revival.
NSW Crown Lands poured more than $6 million into renovating the site but it remained untouched until recently, when Broken Hill Mines struck a lease agreement with Foundation Broken Hill to establish offices at the site.
Broken Hill Mines is offering to cover the rent for the business prepared to operate at the site. (ABC Broken Hill: Bill Ormonde)
The Australian miner purchased the Rasp Mine last year and has big plans for the city, according to Mr Goodwin, who is the company’s head of corporate sustainability.
“We recognise that facility as an important part of town,” he said.
“If we can be a big part of getting that up and running and attracting tourists and locals into that facility then we’re very happy.
“It’s a win-win situation for all of us.“
‘A real boost for the future’
The Broken Earth Complex has remained largely untouched since the previous tenants moved out in 2021.
Foundation Broken Hill chair John Lynch hopes the development will encourage more people to enjoy the views.
“Whether it’s the sunset … whether it’s the sunrise, if we’re open, with a coffee, with something to eat,” he said.
“Then I think it’s a real boost for the future.”
The challenge now will be to find tenants for the office spaces.
Jim Hickey’s family were the last people to run a business at the Broken Earth Complex. (ABC Broken Hill: Bill Ormonde)
Deputy Mayor Jim Hickey said a restaurant would not be economically viable but a cafe would be ideal.
“You get a fair [amount of] patronage, but it’s very hard to make a full-time living there,” he said.
“It will be a great secondary cafe for someone.”
Broken Hill Mines is confident an operator will be enticed to move in on a rent-free basis after the office is built in the existing structure.
“We’d talk to them about how we’d share the utilities costs, but the leasing costs will be covered by us,” Mr Goodwin said.
Broken Hill Mines would also like to install an observation point that would allow people to watch the operations inside the Rasp Mine.
But for now the company is focused on finding builders to get the complex up and running as soon as possible.
“We’d like to see this done, certainly, within six months and up and open,” Mr Goodwin said.
“I need to source a builder and John needs to source a hospitality provider.
“We’re decent mining operators — we’re not very good cafe operators.“
