Government to try again on Sunset land sale

Developers keen to get a slice of the western suburbs have again been given a golden opportunity by the state government, which has put a parcel of prime land overlooking the Swan River back on the market to fund the redevelopment of the Sunset Heritage Precinct.

Heritage Minister Albert Jacob and Finance Minister Dean Nalder announced today that the former Sunset Hospital matron’s house, which is located on a 1,993 square metre lot, would be placed on the market.

The land has the potential to be subdivided into two lots, while it is currently zoned R12.5 under the City of Nedlands planning scheme.

TM Residential has been appointed to sell the land by public tender, with the process set to close at the end of October.

“Revenue from the sale … will fund much-needed heritage building preservation work on the historic Sunset site,” Mr Jacob said.

“It will also open up part of the site for community use and enjoyment, with a picnic area and playground to be available in late 2016.”

The former Claremont Men’s Home, which was later renamed the Sunset Hospital, has been essentially vacant since it was decommissioned in 1995. The building was built in 1904.

The state government has been formulating restoration plans for some years, with a previous proposal to redevelop the site into an arts and culture precinct, in collaboration with the University of Western Australia, falling over in 2007.

Around $275,000 was spent in 2013-14 developing a master plan for a staged restoration of the 8.5-hectare site.

Last January, the state government announced it would sell a 1,500sqm parcel of land at the site, which is understood to be essentially the same plot put to market today, to fund the restoration of sewerage, power and water services, as well as re-roofing the heritage buildings and restoring their external facades. 

At the time, Premier Colin Barnett said he expected the land would sell in quick time and fetch about $10 million.

However, it is understood the government was not able to reach a suitable outcome for the sale of the land.