Demand for charity spurs development

One of Perth’s premier charities is selling properties in Osborne Park and Belmont to fund a new development in Canning Vale, to cope with what it says is an alarming increase in demand for its services.

St Vincent de Paul Society of WA chief executive Mark Fitzpatrick said the not-for-profit organisation, which delivered material assistance to 38,243 Western Australians and provided $8.35 million in direct support within the state last year, expected to start developing the new Canning Vale site early next year.

“Our 25-year-old Osborne Park depot, which is our main service delivery facility, is ... reaching capacity, which will limit the amount of people we can assist if we don’t move to a larger facility,” he said.

“Alarmingly, we forecast that demand for our services will increase by an incredible 50 per cent in the next decade.”

The new Canning Vale site will include the Ozanam House administration office, currently located in Belmont, St Vinnie’s depot, currently located in Osborne Park, and a new Vinnies shop.

Mr Fitzptrick said Vinnies had collaborated with prominent businesses and applied for grant funding before deciding to build in Canning Vale.

“An important area of funding will come from the sale of Ozanam House administration office in Belmont and the Osborne Park depot,” he said.

“In the coming weeks we will begin advertising these two properties with the proviso of a short-term lease back to the society until our new building is ready.” 

Raine & Horne Commercial is looking after the sale of the existing properties.

Tenders for the Canning Vale development will be called for, but a date is yet to be announced.