Ararat asylum closure labelled an 'economic catastrophe' by local businesses

Business owners in the regional Victorian town of Ararat are bracing for an "economic catastrophe" following the temporary closure of the Aradale asylum, a former psychiatric hospital that operated until 1993. The state government owns the sprawling Aradale site, which comprises 64 buildings over 40 hectares and has become a popular destination for "dark tourism." Melbourne Polytechnic, the current leaseholder, shut down access due to identified safety concerns requiring further investigation. Ararat, a town of 8,000, is unique in Australia for having two former asylums; the J Ward jail remains open. Aradale, established in 1865, housed the state's mentally ill for 126 years, where patients deemed too sick or dangerous endured treatments like restraint and electroshock therapy. Locals contend that the asylum has fallen into significant disrepair due to ignored maintenance requests. Nathaniel Buchanan, owner of Aradale Ghost Tours, stated that the closure would result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in economic losses for the town, impacting cafes, shops, and other attractions. He noted that communication regarding maintenance requests ceased about four years ago. Melbourne Polytechnic acknowledged the disruption but emphasized that safety is paramount. The closure affects specific areas of the site, while other parts of the broader Aradale grounds remain accessible. The long-term future of the asylum and its economic impact on Ararat remain uncertain.

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This is an economic catastrophe. The flow-on effect from that is enormous, because you've got cafes for breakfast, lunch and dinners, shopping and other attractions.