Home of the late Leo Kelly, of Queenstown, is being demolished, distraught locals say

A rustic old home that once belonged to an amateur artist, astronomer and photographer is being demolished, according to distraught locals who are calling for the property to be preserved.

The late Leo Kelly, of Queenstown. Local residents are concerned about apparent plans to demolish his old property. Picture: Supplied

Queenstown residents are despairing over the future of a rustic old home that once belonged to an amateur artist and astronomer, saying the cherished property is doomed to be demolished.

The late Leo Kelly was a beloved eccentric who died in August 2014 and was known for his deep spirituality, visionary artworks, and verve for recycling.

His home on Jenico St resembled a rusty spaceship, with Mr Kelly gradually adding to it over the years according to his personal needs.

He built an observatory for stargazing, chapels for worshipping, and a dark room for developing his photos.

The late Leo Kelly, of Queenstown. Local residents are concerned about apparent plans to demolish his old property. Picture: Supplied

However, several years after his death, the West Coast Council put the property up for auction in an effort to reclaim unpaid rates, locals say. Now it appears the new owners have started to dismantle Mr Kelly’s old home, with a bulldozer photographed on the property.

Queenstown artist Raymond Arnold said some people might have viewed Mr Kelly as “completely eccentric”, but he was really a “profoundly spiritual and religious” man.

“He was quite a unique individual in a unique town, piling together all sorts of things around the landscape and [exploring] how one lives in it and around how one lives in it in a sort of spiritual, theological sense,” he said.

“There were a few people along the way wondering how to preserve [his home], to keep it, certainly before it came up for auction. There was some talk about trying to form a group to look after it.”

The late Leo Kelly's old property at Queenstown. Local residents are concerned about apparent plans to demolish his old property. Picture: Supplied

It’s understood the old Kelly property is on two titles and the buildings cross the boundary of both titles, complicating the situation further.

Queenstown residents told the Sunday Tasmanian that one title was purchased by a Tasmanian couple, while the second was purchased by a writer who died earlier this year.

Chris Wilson, a local resident, said Mr Kelly had always used recycled materials – particularly corrugated iron – when making additions to his property.

“Yes, it does look like a collection of rusty old shacks but it’s got a charm to it. And when you go into the property, it’s small. He wasn’t a big man,” she said.

“I suppose you could call it … a Hobbit house.”

Artist Raymond Arnold in his studio at Queenstown

Ms Wilson said she would be upset if the home was demolished because it was representative of a man who “quietly went about a lifestyle that was really unique”.

“I just think that people like that and what they create have merit and I don’t like the thought that people think, ‘He was a weirdo who lived in a rubbish house that needs to be bulldozed’,” she said.

“Their perception of him and what he created is sort of belittling to him, when what he was doing was creating a very unique home that suited his needs, which was a very humble, simple lifestyle.”

The late Leo Kelly's old property at Queenstown. Local residents are concerned about apparent plans to demolish his old property. Picture: Supplied

West Coast Council general manager David Midson said the council had not provided any approvals for demolition of the property and it was “likely that a demolition would require council approvals”.

“If people are concerned about work being done without required council approvals then they should contact council,” he said.

Originally published as Home of the late Leo Kelly, of Queenstown, is being demolished, distraught locals say