Asylum's temporary closure labelled an 'economic catastrophe'
This abandoned psychiatric hospital has been a huge drawcard for the small town of Ararat. Now it's been closed due to safety concerns, and local businesses are on edge.
The closure of the historic Aradale asylum in western Victoria, Australia, has been deemed an "economic catastrophe" by local business owners. The abandoned psychiatric hospital, which operated until 1993, has become a popular tourist attraction in Ararat, a town of 8,000 people. Melbourne Polytechnic, which leased the property from the state government, shut down the site on Friday due to safety concerns.
The closure is expected to cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in economic loss for the town, as the asylum is a major draw for tourists interested in dark tourism. Nathaniel Buchanan, owner of Aradale Ghost Tours, stated that the closure would have a devastating effect on the region's economy, as it would impact cafes, shopping, and other attractions.
The state government, through Melbourne Polytechnic, acknowledged the safety concerns and suspended access to affected areas of the site for further assessments. However, local businesses and the council expressed concerns about the immediate economic impact and the need for continued support from the government.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
