Sludge: Disaster on Victoria's Goldfields

Discover the gripping narrative of 'Sludge: Disaster on Victoria's Goldfields', a compelling exploration of the environmental consequences of the Victorian gold rush. This brand new trade paperback, published by Black Inc in 2019, dives into the troubling legacy that gold mining left on the land. With 256 pages, this book reveals how the rush for gold transformed Victoria’s rivers and agricultural landscapes through devastating silt and waste. Many aren’t aware that what was once a source of wealth also polluted creeks, inundating fertile regions and harming local wildlife and humans alike. This environmental history not only recounts the impact of mining effluent but also examines its role in shaping the modern environmental movement. 'Sludge' is essential reading for those interested in Australian history, environmental studies, and the long-term consequences of industrialization. Whether you're a historian, an environmentalist, or simply a curious reader, this book offers valuable insight into Victoria's hidden past. Available now at Smartfox NZ with FREE shipping, it’s a must-have addition to your collection. We ensure that 'Sludge' arrives at your doorstep quickly; please allow up to 10 days for delivery. Don’t miss out on understanding the lasting effects of the gold rush on our planet.
Condition: BRAND NEW
ISBN: 9781760641108
Format: Trade paperback (UK)
Year: 2019
Publisher: Black Inc
Pages: 256


Description:
Sludge

The fascinating, troubling legacy of the gold rush

Everyone knows gold made Victoria rich. But did you know gold mining was disastrous for the land, engulfing it in floods of sand, gravel and silt that gushed out of the mines?

Or that this environmental devastation still affects our rivers and floodplains?
Victorians had a name for this mining waste- 'sludge'. Sludge submerged Victoria's best grapevines near Bendigo, filled Laanecoorie Reservoir on the Loddon River and flowed down from Beechworth over thousands of hectares of rich agricultural land. Children and animals drowned in sludge lakes. Mining effluent contaminated three-quarters of Victoria's creeks and rivers.

Sludge is the compelling story of the forgotten filth that plagued nineteenth-century Victoria. It exposes the big dirty secret of Victoria's mining history - the way it transformed the state's water and land, and how the battle against sludge helped lay the ground for the modern environmental movement.

'A remarkable achievement' -Tom Griffiths

'A work of brilliant rediscovery and a wake-up call for our own times' -Grace Karskens

'Vividly conveys the long-term costs of short-term gains' -Billy Griffiths

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