The University of Western Australia and the State Government have agreed to withdraw plans to develop the Dalkeith site of a former aged men's home.
UWA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alan Robson said the University had been invited in 2004 to consider options for the Sunset site in consultation with the State Government. This had led to plans to redevelop the site as an arts precinct incorporating the Berndt Museum of Anthropology.
"Over the intervening years, the University has considered a number of options which would allow it to redevelop the site in a timely manner without a significant continuing drain on university resources. It has now been decided that these goals cannot be adequately met," Professor Robson said.
He said the University was concerned that limitations being placed on the use of the site would change the benefits in relation to the cost to the university.
"It is particularly disappointing that the University and the State Government could not achieve an outcome which had the potential to be of significant long term benefit to the whole community of Western Australia.
"I can only thank the Minister for Housing and Works, Michelle Roberts for her efforts and those of her staff in trying to bring this proposal to fruition and the Government for the opportunity for the University to be involved," Professor Robson said.
He said the decision to withdraw from the Sunset proposal and to house the Berndt collection of Indigenous and Asian art and artefacts on the University campus had been difficult but necessary.
