BALLARAT community leaders have reacted with outrage to calls from a Victorian MP for Beechworth to become the state’s main goldfields centre. Liberal MP for Benambra Bill Tilley has criticised Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill open-air museum, calling it fake and driven by actors. Mr Tilley told The Border Mail that Beechworth’s local history was more authentic than Ballarat’s.“This is part of our heritage, Australian history, it’s not Ballarat — this is the real McCoy, this is not made up,” Mr Tilley said. “This is a town that is full of real history.” Mr Tilley said a planned development near the old Beechworth Jail had the potential to become the next Sovereign Hill, “but built on the foundations of real history.”Mr Tilley’s comments came as the state government provided $10,000 for the Indigo Shire Council’s Gold Trail.Ballarat West MP Sharon Knight hit back at the claims and questioned when Mr Tilley had last visited Sovereign Hill. “Bill Tilley is wrong, and should be man enough to admit it and apologise,” she said.“Ballarat is central to the history of Victoria’s gold heritage — a heritage that is outstandingly portrayed at Sovereign Hill.” Ms Knight said it was alarming that a senior member of the Baillieu government thought so little of Ballarat and one of Australia’s best tourism attractions. “Sovereign Hill is an attraction that contributes many millions of dollars to the local economy, and employs many local people,” she said.As one of Ballarat’s leading drawcards, the site helped attract more than 500,000 domestic and 20,000 international visitors to Ballarat last year. Sovereign Hill chief executive officer Jeremy Johnson also reacted angrily and called on Mr Tilley to clarify the comments.“They are very disappointing comments from someone who should know better,” he said.“His comments are not true and there is no value in talking down Victorian tourism attractions.” He said Mr Tilley’s comments did not reflect the policy of the Victorian government and that he hoped to discuss the matter with him as soon as possible. Mr Tilley was unavailable for comment yesterday.