Approval for $15m domestic violence help hub

A $15 million seven-storey centre for domestic violence victim-survivors has been approved despite concerns of security in the Northbridge area.

The City of Perth Local Development Assessment Panel approved Ruah Community Services’ proposal to build a centre to assist women and children escaping domestic violence.

Ruah plans to build its new Centre for Women and Children on a 694sqm site on the north-west corner of the Shenton and John streets intersection.

The new centre is set to replace a single-storey Ruah Outreach Centre currently on the site.

The development application was prepared by Architectus and lodged by PTS Town Planning on behalf of Ruah.

In addition to offering women’s and children’s health services, there will be on-site service provider office spaces, 13 short-stay accommodation units and communal amenities.

Surrounding landowners have raised objections to the proposal, particularly about public safety and antisocial behaviour the development could potentially bring.

Measures to ensure the facility’s security had been questioned, with a neighbouring Northbridge business owner saying he knew “intimate knowledge” of the problems outside the current outreach centre.

Architectus senior associate Will Lakin said the new centre would serve a different clientele, as the current outreach centre was a drop-in site for homelessness while the new centre would be by appointment and specifically for women and children escaping domestic violence.

Ruah family and domestic violence general manager Tanya Elson said the safety for clients was paramount with any relocation information kept confidential.

Ms Elson said it was rare for a perpetrator to find the relocated family member.

“It’s a very infrequent occurrence … And no more frequent than any other antisocial behaviour that occurs in the area,” she said.

“We have a really close relationship with police in Perth area to support our refuges even when that situation arises.”

A Northbridge action group of about 35 people objected to the proposal during an earlier public submission process.

“Safety to residents is of paramount concern and the anti-social, violent behaviour will escalate as Ruah clients will be in there 24/7,” its submission said.

“Moreover, the future residential clients (women and children) will result in partners/perpetrators camping in Russell Square thereby increasing the violence and anti-social behaviour experienced by current residents.”

Despite also questioning security measures, panel presiding member Ray Haeren said access to a facility of the proposed centre's services was critical for an urban location.

"Both through personal and professional experience, having a managed facility like this would have a far superior outcome than (other places)," he said.

Applicants would have to submit a comprehensive centre management plan, detailing security measures and noise control.