Fans left outraged by the demolition of the former family home of Australian hard rock group AC/DC last December will have something to look forward to later this year with Burwood Council planning to honour the musical legacy of the band.

The address, 4 Burleigh Street in the suburb of Burwood in inner west Sydney holds a special significance for AC/DC fans from across the world, with band founders and brothers Malcolm and Angus Young having spent their childhood at this home. Though the Young family had moved away in 1978, and the house had changed hands a few times since then, the location continues to draw fans of the rock band.

The original Young family home, 4 Burleigh St Burwood.jpg — *The original Young home | Photo: Burwood Council*

Though the house was included in Australia’s National Trust Register in 2013, a review by the Burwood Council in 2015 didn’t consider the property significant enough to be recommended as a heritage site. The Council also didn’t find any aesthetic significance or technical or research value in the home.

The property was bought by a developer, Burwood Square in 2023, and demolished in December 2024 to make way for a mixed-use tower with hotel rooms and residential apartments. The public outcry that followed the demolition saw the developer express regret for the oversight, having been unaware about the property’s historical connection to AC/DC despite conducting due diligence with heritage experts.

The developer has now committed to honour the band’s legacy by celebrating this part of their story.

“We are now salvaging materials from the demolition to create a special space, such as a café, bar, or live music venue, where fans can gather to celebrate the band's enduring legacy. We aim to ensure that our development also serves as a lasting tribute to their cultural impact,” the developer says.

AC-DC_Mural_Burwood_Council (2).jpg — *Back in Black – a Council commissioned mural dedicated to Malcolm and Angus Young, located at 12 Burleigh Street, Burwood | Photo: Andrew Worssam*

On their part, Burwood Council expressed sadness and disappointment about the incident, saying the approval to demolish 4 Burleigh Street was not granted by the Council.

In recognition of the cultural significance of the Young family and their contribution to the Australian music scene, the Council had, in 2024 prior to the demolition, commissioned a mural by artist Claire Foxton at 12 Burleigh Street – a short walk from the Young house – dedicated to Malcolm and Angus Young, and also coordinated a 300-person AC/DC choir medley honouring the brothers on the 150th anniversary of Burwood.

Additionally, one of the five murals commissioned as part of a creative placemaking initiative for the Ford Lane Transformation Project directly references AC/DC’s connection to Burwood. Created by renowned Melbourne artist Drez, the mural uses a bold red, orange and yellow palette as a nod to the band’s iconic album covers.

*Drez’s mural honouring AC/DC for the Ford Lane Transformation Project | Photo: Katherine Lu*

The Council’s proposed $3-million tribute plan includes installing larger-than-life bronze statues of the band members near Burwood Station that would rival Liverpool’s celebration of the Beatles, and renaming Railway Square as AC/DC Square. Burwood Mayor John Faker has also announced that a new 300-seat performance venue within the upcoming $58-million Burwood Culture House will be named ‘Young Theatre’.

To commemorate and celebrate AC/DC’s contribution to Australian music, the Council plans to invite Angus Young, the only surviving member of the original band, who will be visiting Sydney in November this year as part of the Power Up tour.

Main image: Back in Black – a Council commissioned mural dedicated to Malcolm and Angus Young, located at 12 Burleigh Street, Burwood | Photo: Andrew Worssam

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