Outlaw outrage: Taxpayers to fork out $1 million to restore Ned Kelly's home
Legendary Australian bushranger Ned Kelly has once again sparked controversy with the announcement taxpayers will contribute $1 million towards the restoration of the outlaw's childhood home in a bid to turn it into a lucrative tourist attraction.
The Victorian government has pledged the large sum towards the restoration of Kelly’s 159-year-old childhood home at Beveridge, about 40 kilometres north of Melbourne.
Descendants of a police officer killed by Kelly have spoken out saying that it glorifies a murderer and a terrorist.
These claims have been made as urgent work is expected to begin shortly to stabilise the dilapidated property.
The family home was built in 1860 by Kelly's convict father from materials he found in the bush including local bluestone for the chimney.
Even the nails in the home were handmade.
"It's an iconic site where the Kelly family lived - husband and wife and six children - in this tiny, tiny cottage," Victorian Planning Minister Richard Wynne told reporters on Wednesday.
"I think it is something wholly worthy to be opened up for the public."
After the Kellys moved to Avenel in 1864, a corrugated iron roof and a few extra rooms were added to the back of the cottage.
Heritage Victoria is negotiating with the current owners to purchase the heritage-listed cottage and add it to a proposed trail shedding light on the area's history.
Overall, it’s estimated approximately $1 million will be spent on preparing the site for visitors in a bid to bolster the state's tourism industry.
While revered in some circles, the Kelly gang is also remembered by others as a bunch of violent outlaws who murdered police.
The state government says regardless of these points of view on the Kellys, the site represents rich Australian history and culture that deserves to be preserved.
News break – October 20
