Swanbourne children’s hospice approved

A $33 million proposal to build a children’s hospice in Swanbourne has been approved by the state’s planning commission, despite local council’s opposition to the project.

The development today was given the green light at a lengthy meeting of the State Development Assessment Unit, the Western Australian Planning Commission’s planning pathway for projects of state significance.

Opponents of the development voiced concerns about the site’s bushfire plan, potential impacts on native wildlife and vegetation, parking and pedestrian access.

The size and location of the facility were also criticised, with arguments that the project proponent the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation should find a site to accommodate more patients.

The current development application would accommodate seven children with life-threatening illnesses and include three family suites.

It will be the first of its kind in WA.

WAPC chairman David Caddy said a building permit would not be issued without a valid bushfire plan in place.

Concerns about people attending the hospice needing to traverse a carpark to access the building were also raised at the meeting.

Therefore the WAPC imposed a condition that a suitable pathway for pedestrian access to the hospice be explored.

PCHF chairman Ian Campbell said the facility was an adequate size to accommodate future growth.

He said he had been frustrated by delays around the project, with the land first being gazetted for a hospice in 2021.

“This is a facility that has been long overdue,” he said at the meeting.

“If we agree today we can be on the grounds doing site works within a few weeks.”

The estimated cost of the development has blown out to $33 million from $25.5 million as it was submitted to the SDAU more than two years ago. 

Mr Campbell added that the community had raised $34.77 million for the development to proceed.

Hesperia director Kyle Jeavons also spoke at the meeting, as the pro bono project manager of the development.  

He said when Hesperia was approached about the project several years ago, the company realised the strong need for a facility of its kind. 

The proposed development comprises a children’s hospital with seven patient rooms, three family suites, family and play areas, clinical areas, hydrotherapy and allied health spaces.

A development application was prepared by CLE Town Planning + Design and architecture concepts done by Hassell, with developer Hesperia also involved.

The subject site is within Allen Park on Odern Crescent, formerly the Swanbourne Bowling Club site.

In September 2021, the state government transferred its ownership of a 5,000 square metre land at Allen Park to the Child and Adolescent Health Service for the proposed hospice.

The hospice attracted significant media coverage in the past year, particularly on the City of Nedlands council’s staunch opposition to build the development on Allen Park bushland.

Lands minister John Carey blasted the city’s opposition to the project, after Nedlands' council voted in June last year to recommend the proposed hospice be refused by the WAPC.

The PCHF anticipated that the hospice be opened by 2025.