❓ Mr. Kelly questions the Minister for Housing about a derelict Department of Housing complex in Lockridge, citing safety concerns. The Minister details the demolition process and security measures taken.
AnsweredQoN 519Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING — 19 BRATHWAITE ROAD,
LOCKRIDGE
519. Mr D.J. KELLY to the Minister for
Housing:
I refer to the 16-unit Department of
Housing complex in Brathwaite Road, Lockridge, that the minister has allowed to
lay derelict for the past eight months, and to the evidence from residents that
the site is now being used by squatters and drug dealers and that children have
easy access to the site.
(1) Why has the
minister allowed this entirely predictable situation to develop, especially as
I wrote to him about it in January this year?
(2) Will the
minister immediately ensure that the site is secured by putting in place
24-hour onsite security, along with secure fencing?
(3) When will the
complex be demolished so that residents no longer have to put up with this
intolerable situation?
LOCKRIDGE
519. Mr D.J. KELLY to the Minister for
Housing:
I refer to the 16-unit Department of
Housing complex in Brathwaite Road, Lockridge, that the minister has allowed to
lay derelict for the past eight months, and to the evidence from residents that
the site is now being used by squatters and drug dealers and that children have
easy access to the site.
(1) Why has the
minister allowed this entirely predictable situation to develop, especially as
I wrote to him about it in January this year?
(2) Will the
minister immediately ensure that the site is secured by putting in place
24-hour onsite security, along with secure fencing?
(3) When will the
complex be demolished so that residents no longer have to put up with this
intolerable situation?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Bassendean for the question.
(1)–(3)
I will provide some background on the apartments. On 6 November 2013 an
explosion and fire occurred at the complex. A resident in unit 16, Darren Rackstraw,
was seriously injured during the incident and required hospitalisation. He is
recovering from injuries at the moment and the department remains in contact
with his family. The complex is very old and beyond its useable life. The
residents have all been moved out and are in accommodation at the moment, some
of which is, admittedly, not totally suitable but we will make sure we get
everyone back into suitable accommodation.
I will now go through the process
of what has happened with the apartments. On 13 December 2013, a demolition
application was sent to the City of Swan requesting its comments. On 31 January
2014, a letter was received from the City of Swan saying that it had no
objection to the demolition. On 30 January, a letter was sent to the Western
Australian Planning Commission requesting permission to demolish the complex in
question on 19 Brathwaite Road. On 5 February, a letter was received from the
WAPC stating that the application for demolition was invalid as it could not
come from the Department of Housing but had to come from the City of Swan. On 5
February, an email was sent to the City of Swan requesting that it forward the
application directly to WAPC as opposed to DOH. On 5 February, an email was
received from the City of Swan saying that it would forward its comments
directly to the WAPC. On 27 February, a letter was received from WAPC
confirming that it had received a demolition application from the City of Swan
and was processing it. On 7 April, approval for demolition was received from
the WAPC. On 30 April, a tender for demolition was released. On 4 June, the
tender for demolition closed. On 13 June, the tender was awarded to Vinsan
Contracting, and 20 August is the deadline for the building to be demolished
and the site cleared. This is what has been going on. The Department of Housing
has been on the ball to get it done and the block will be demolished on 20 August
or before.
In the meantime, we have contracted
Wilson Security to monitor the site and conduct numerous visits every day
during the day and night. This security company has instructions also to
contact police if their attendance is required. It is an issue, but this
project will end up being a very good development. It is part of our affordable
housing development program to provide more houses as part of our strategic
approach to delivering affordable houses to Western Australians.
(1)–(3)
I will provide some background on the apartments. On 6 November 2013 an
explosion and fire occurred at the complex. A resident in unit 16, Darren Rackstraw,
was seriously injured during the incident and required hospitalisation. He is
recovering from injuries at the moment and the department remains in contact
with his family. The complex is very old and beyond its useable life. The
residents have all been moved out and are in accommodation at the moment, some
of which is, admittedly, not totally suitable but we will make sure we get
everyone back into suitable accommodation.
I will now go through the process
of what has happened with the apartments. On 13 December 2013, a demolition
application was sent to the City of Swan requesting its comments. On 31 January
2014, a letter was received from the City of Swan saying that it had no
objection to the demolition. On 30 January, a letter was sent to the Western
Australian Planning Commission requesting permission to demolish the complex in
question on 19 Brathwaite Road. On 5 February, a letter was received from the
WAPC stating that the application for demolition was invalid as it could not
come from the Department of Housing but had to come from the City of Swan. On 5
February, an email was sent to the City of Swan requesting that it forward the
application directly to WAPC as opposed to DOH. On 5 February, an email was
received from the City of Swan saying that it would forward its comments
directly to the WAPC. On 27 February, a letter was received from WAPC
confirming that it had received a demolition application from the City of Swan
and was processing it. On 7 April, approval for demolition was received from
the WAPC. On 30 April, a tender for demolition was released. On 4 June, the
tender for demolition closed. On 13 June, the tender was awarded to Vinsan
Contracting, and 20 August is the deadline for the building to be demolished
and the site cleared. This is what has been going on. The Department of Housing
has been on the ball to get it done and the block will be demolished on 20 August
or before.
In the meantime, we have contracted
Wilson Security to monitor the site and conduct numerous visits every day
during the day and night. This security company has instructions also to
contact police if their attendance is required. It is an issue, but this
project will end up being a very good development. It is part of our affordable
housing development program to provide more houses as part of our strategic
approach to delivering affordable houses to Western Australians.
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