Go back to original Kelly plan: Jones

(Border Mail Aug 3)

NED Kelly historian Ian Jones says Wangaratta council needs to scrap its
beautification works of the Glenrowan siege site and start again.

That is potentially more than $2 million of work.

Yesterday, he also applauded National Heritage Minister Ian Campbell’s
belief that the site needed to return to circa 1880.

“Sen Campbell’s statement was the strongest made so far and condemned
the works by council,” Mr Jones said yesterday.

“But I can’t see how they can get back to that state without undoing the
works that have been carried out.”

Mr Jones said the works had created waterways with engineering angles
and concrete, built bridges that weren’t there and taken away native trees.

“My view is simple; we need to get back to the master plan developed in 2002,” he said.

FEDERAL Heritage Minister Ian Campbell clearly believes Ned Kelly’s siege site at Glenrowan has been desecrated and Wangaratta council needs to drive its resurrection.

But the council says “put your money where your mouth is”.

Yesterday, Senator Campbell made his first visit to the heritage listed site of Ned Kelly’s last stand to hand over $30,000 for signage.

At the same time he took a none-too-subtle swipe at how the site has been managed.

“It is clear to my untrained eye that that a lot of the work done over the years has taken away from the site’s historical integrity,” Senator Campbell said.

“That’s not just recent works but over many years.

“My view is that the site should be taken back towards the way it looked when the siege took place.

“There are going to be practical reasons why some of that won’t be done.”

Sen Campbell said a long-term management plan was needed.

The senator said major works, including the removal of the rail bypass, was the responsibility of council.

But Wangaratta council economic development manager Graham Nickless said it all came down to money.

“The removal of the bypass involves millions of dollars, to say that it is council’s responsibility is beyond the pail,” he said.

“We all subscribe to bringing it back to authentic status but it comes down to the money to do that.

“At this point in time the Victorian Government has kicked in $1.8 million, council $500,000 and the Commonwealth about $250,000.”

But Wangaratta Mayor Don Joyce said it was wonderful to have Senator Campbell at Glenrowan.

“We are all working toward the same goal and it is great to get an additional $30,000 from the Federal Government,” he said.

Senator Campbell refused to reveal the findings of federal heritage officers who visited Glenrowan to inspect recent council works.

Historians claim Wangaratta council’s beautification of the site has removed significant parts of the landscape and made it almost unrecognisable.

Glenrowan is one of 32 nationally-listed heritage sites.

Go back to original Kelly plan: Jones

Stoush at the old Kelly site

BY BRAD WORRALL (The Border Mail)