A grand heritage-listed building erected during Western Australia's first gold rush is at risk of becoming the victim of the latest boom by falling into a huge mine pit, the local shire council says.

The Great Fingall Mine office was built in Cue, 650 kilometres north-east of Perth, around 1902, but the adjoining mine has grown since reopening.

The abandoned office, described as one of the most magnificent in the region, now sits about 10 metres from the edge of the working open-cut mine pit.

"Over time, gradually the erosion of that edge of that mine will lead to this building slipping into it," said council chief executive Rob Madson.

The Heritage Council says the office is an important link to the history of the gold boom. ( ABC Midwest Wheatbelt: Cecile O'Connor )

Ownership unclear

Mr Madson said the building was on a mining tenement and on the state heritage register, however its ownership was unclear.

Cue, which was a booming town of 10,000 people early last century, is now largely a fly-in-fly-out community with a permanent population of about 160.

The abandoned office has been described as one of the most magnificent in the region. ( ABC Midwest Wheatbelt: Chris Lewis )

Mr Madson said the shire had replaced the roof but could not afford to move the office to the main street where it could be restored.

The Heritage Council of WA described the stone building as "a unique demonstration of the combination of mine office and assay room purposely built for a prosperous mining company during Western Australia's gold boom".

"It is an important reminder of the cycle of growth and decline of mining towns associated with the state's gold boom at the turn of the century."

The building was erected early last century. ( Flickr: yaruman5 )

One of the most magnificent of its time

Mr Madson said the community wanted the office saved.

"Out of all the buildings that are in the shire, it would be one of the most magnificent when it was completed," he said.

"Relocating it, we believe, at the moment is beyond the reach of the capacity of the shire because the entire cost would be too much for our ratepayers to bear."

He said the council hoped the State Government and miner Westgold would help move it to safer ground.

The bill for that would be about $3 million.

Shire president Ross Pigdon and chief executive Rob Madson overlooking the mine pit. ( ABC Midwest Wheatbelt: Cecile O'Connor )

Picking up the tab

Nationals North West MP Vince Catania said given the royalties that had gone to the state over the years, the cost of relocation would be acceptable.

"I think it is reasonable that the company, as well as the State Government, work out a scenario where they can both make a contribution to move something so valuable to our state's history into the main street of Cue so we can protect our history," Mr Catania said.

"We have got this fantastic building that is part of our resource history, it is part of our gold history, and it is on the cusp of falling down as it is perched on the side of a mine site.

"Its location puts it in danger, it is fenced off from the public.

"It is a fantastic tourism drawcard for Cue and it needs to be shifted into town and we need to preserve our history, which Cue plays a major role in WA when it comes to heritage in the late 1800s."

Westgold, which now operates the mine, has been contacted for comment.