Broken Hill makes National Heritage List

Broken Hill in far western NSW has become the first city in Australia to be included on the National Heritage List.

"Broken Hill has a rich and colourful history virtually unmatched by any city in regional Australia," Minister for Western NSW Kevin Humphries said as he paid a visit to the mining town on Tuesday.

Mr Humphries was joined by Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt as they declared the city the latest addition to the list, because of its outstanding heritage significance to Australia.

The Outback town now stands alongside the Great Barrier Reef and the Sydney Harbour Bridge as one of the country's great national treasures, Mr Humphries said.

As the birthplace of multinational mining company, BHP, it has made an "enormous contribution to Australia's pastoral, political and artistic history," he added.

The 18,500 residents of Broken Hill have lobbied for nearly 10 years to get it on the prestigious list of places said to contribute to Australia's national identity.

Minister for Heritage Rob Stokes said its inclusion will attract more tourists from across Australia and the world.

"Tourism is the lifeblood of Broken Hill and this funding will go a long way to growing the city's tourism sector, creating local jobs and breathing fresh life into the local economy," Mr Stokes said.