Broken Hill has become the first Australian city to be included on the National Heritage List, with the town's mining history and a decade of campaigning helping it earn the unique honour.

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Environment Minister Greg Hunt announced the news before a crowd of locals in the far-western New South Wales city.

"When you think of regional Australia, when you think of mining, when you think of the ethos of Australia, you think of Broken Hill," he said.

"From Pro Hart to Priscilla to Perilya, it's a town that covers art and culture and mining and industry and the outback of Australia.

"The silver, the zinc, the incredible resources that have characterised Broken Hill have been the basis upon which so much of Australia has been built."

Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Farrer MP Sussan Ley announce the news to a crowd of locals. ( ABC News: Gavin Coote )

The city joins 102 other sites - including Tasmania's Port Arthur, the Sydney Opera House and the Great Barrier Reef - as examples of "exceptional" places that contribute to the national identity.

The city's mining history includes the development of Broken Hill Proprietary, which became the world's largest mining company, BHP Billiton.

Broken Hill was also the birthplace of Australia's union movement and the eight-hour work day.

Broken Hill City Council nominated the city for heritage listing in 2005, with environmental lawyer Simon Molesworth spearheading the campaign.

"The really great thing about [the listing] is that it enables Broken Hill to stand on its feet and look to the future and not just rely on its traditional industries and the like," Professor Molesworth said.

"This is a way in which we celebrate the past but can now try to plan the future.

"That's the most thrilling thing - it gives longevity to this city and its people."

Locals gather outside the Broken Hill Town Hall to hear the announcement. ( ABC News: Gavin Coote )

After initial concerns from the mining industry, which feared being burdened with extra conservation and regulation costs, the campaign found the support of most of the city.

Professor Molesworth said the decade-long path to listing was "pretty frustrating at times".

"A huge amount of work goes into promoting this because most people, initially when you come up with a new idea, are not really behind it," he said.

"Broken Hill is in one sense a conservative community and they rightly asked if this was the best thing for Broken Hill."

Broken Hill Mayor Wincen Cuy said it was a great day in the history of Broken Hill.

"This prestigious citation will raise the international profile of Broken Hill ... and provide a resilient community with the momentum to endure the effects [of the economy] going forward," he said.