Closure of Aradale asylum sparks economic panic in Ararat
Melbourne Polytechnic halted access to parts of the historic Aradale asylum in Ararat over safety concerns, prompting local businesses to warn of severe economic fallout.
Parts of the abandoned Aradale asylum in Ararat, western Victoria, were closed on Friday after Melbourne Polytechnic, the leaseholder, cited safety issues uncovered during an inspection. One outlet-century complex, which draws tourists interested in its grim history, is a key revenue source for the town of about 8,000 residents. Nathaniel Buchanan, who runs Aradale Ghost Tours, warned that the shutdown could wipe out hundreds of thousands of dollars in income and has begun refunding cancelled bookings.
He also claimed maintenance requests to the polytechnic had been ignored for years. Labor MP Martha Haylett said she was not notified in advance and criticized the polytechnic’s handling of the situation. The Ararat Rural City Council acknowledged the financial strain but affirmed its commitment to support local businesses while safety concerns are addressed.
Why it matters
The closure threatens the livelihood of many Ararat businesses that rely on tourism to the historic asylum.
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