Ruah appeals Northbridge shelter decision

Community services provider Ruah has lodged an appeal against City of Perth over conditions on the Safe Night Space revival in Northbridge.

The City of Perth council approved Ruah Community Services’ application to operate the women’s shelter program at its drop-in centre on James Street for 30 months.

However, the council approved the application with a string of conditions, including security at all times and for Ruah to have a city-approved operational and waste management plans before starting Safe Night Space.

Ruah today announced it had lodged an application with the State Administrative Tribunal to review the conditions of the city’s approval.

In a statement, Ruah said its ability to effectively deliver the Safe Night Space for women would be adversely impacted by the conditions imposed.

Ruah chief executive Debra Zanella said the decision to appeal was not made lightly.

“I was very disappointed to see the conditions,” she said.

“We had to ask ourselves, who determines the city’s satisfaction, and when and how will we know what is required for the city to be satisfied?

“They’re questions without answer[s] and that leaves us feeling very uncomfortable with the lack of clarity, and uncertain about being able to operate the Safe Night Space under the conditions imposed.

“We were very much hoping to be moving forward towards the remobilisation of Safe Night Space by now, an essential service that provides emergency support to women experiencing significant vulnerability, but instead we find ourselves in this difficult situation.”

A City of Perth spokesperson confirmed to Business News it was notified about Ruah's appeal.

“The City of Perth Council last week voted unanimously to support Ruah’s application to relocate the Safe Night Space facility to James Street," the spokesperson said.

“The city has today been advised of an appeal by Ruah to the State Administrative Tribunal.  That appeal will now run its course and the City of Perth will be part of the process.”

The Safe Night Space operated out of Rod Evans Centre in East Perth from May 2021 until November 2023 under a partnership between Ruah and the city.

The council unanimously approved Ruah’s application to temporarily operate Safe Night Space on James Street at its meeting last month, but after hours of discussion.

City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas claimed the state government would overrule the city’s decision if the council was to vote against Ruah’s application.

“One of the consistent themes we heard was the importance of security to be stationed at all times during, in particular the Safe Night Space operation,” Mr Zempilas said at the council meeting.

“Given the absolute inevitability that council will be overruled by state government if we were to vote against it tonight, as you all know that is what happened last time with a decision of Ruah by this council, I do not believe there is any sense in delay for delay’s sake.

“By agreeing to the recommendation of our administration tonight, with the amendments that we have made though, we are best placed to be able to influence in a positive way the management orders around the new operation.

“If we vote against [the application] tonight, we lose that ability to impact the management.”

In 2022, the council refused Ruah’s application to relocate from its outreach centre in Shenton Street to a two-storey building on James Street.

Ruah’s Shenton Street centre was to be demolished to make way for a seven-storey Centre for Women and Children.

Then-planning minister Rita Saffioti overruled the council and gave Ruah approval to move to James Street.

Her successor John Carey has also repeatedly butted heads with Mr Zempilas and the city over matters concerning homelessness.

Despite making comments in the lead up to the city's decision over Safe Night Space, Mr Carey has little to say on Ruah's appeal.

“I am aware that Ruah has sought a review of the conditions imposed by the City of Perth with the State Administrative Tribunal," he told Business News.

"It is not appropriate for the Minister for Planning to comment on an active planning matter that is subject to proceedings with the State Administrative Tribunal."