Nedlands, Carey continue feud

City of Nedlands councillors and the state government are at odds again over two significant development proposals in the western suburbs.

At its meeting on Tuesday, the council voted to advise the State Development Assessment Unit that it should reject both a proposed children's hospice and the Tawarri Hot Springs redevelopment.

The proposed children hospice at Allen Park has been the subject of much contention with the chosen Swanbourne site attracting the ire of the Nedlands community and council in September.

The state government has transferred its ownership of the 5,000 square metre Swanbourne land to the Child and Adolescent Health Service last year.

Perth Children's Hospital Foundation lodged a $25.5 million application, which comprises a children’s hospital with seven patient rooms, three family suites, family and play areas, clinical areas and hydrotherapy, in the SDAU pathway.

The City of Nedlands is not the decision-maker but as a referral body, the council has recommended the Western Australian Planning Commission refuse the application.

"The city contends that the development constitutes a private development on public land," the council resolution said.

"The site is important to the community as a whole and should remain accessible given its regional reservation as Parks and Recreation.

"The implication is that the reserve was inappropriately excised in the first place for a non-recreational development and equally the remaining surrounding 'public land' is Crown land that would be inappropriately used to support the development."

An artist impression of the $25 million revamp of the Tawarri centre. Image: Urbis

The council will also request the WAPC refuse the $25 million Tawarri Hot Springs proposal on 120 Esplanade, Dalkeith, for similar reasons.

These decisions come despite city planning staff recommending the council support both proposed projects.

Lands and Local Government minister John Carey slammed the council during a press conference yesterday, in an ongoing saga of animosity between the two tiers of government since the council refused to enter a lease over the Tawarri site in March.

"I’m deeply saddened by the Nedlands decision, I simply don’t understand it. They appear to be coming up with frivolous reasons to oppose this," he said.

"I lost my own mother to terminal brain cancer, she went into a hospice. I deeply understand how hospices play a critical role in helping people with their end of life journey.

"We’re talking about parents who are having to go through perhaps the most traumatic experience of their life. This hospice is critically needed, it is actually important for those families and all those children.

"So for a council to come up with the most extraordinary, ludicrous, and I have to say, I believe some disgusting comments – I just think it’s not good for the whole reputation of the local government sector."

Lands minister John Carey. Photo: David Henry

In April, Mr Carey announced the state government would continue with the Tawarri Hot Springs project by excising the site from its Class-A classification.

He previously told Business News that the council's decision-making was "all over the place" when councillors asked for more time to negotiate a deal with the state government.

“The council voted the project down, and now they’re requesting to be involved again, despite recent commentary opposing the redevelopment, including calling into question the advice of their own administration,” he said last month.

“This is why the state stepped in – because for six years, despite the City of Nedlands proposing this project and selecting the proponent, they couldn’t get their house in order and get on with the job.

“This kind of indecision and flip flopping risks our reputation as a state for future tourism investment."

A report by city planning staff said the lease site being excised meant the state government could enter a lease with a future tenant without the involvement of the city.