❓ Question regarding the proposed redevelopment of the Sunset Hospital site in Nedlands, focusing on heritage, public access, and zoning concerns. The Minister's response addresses these concerns, highlighting the financial benefits, heritage preservation, and revised zoning plans.
AnsweredQoN 854Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
854. Hon Giz Watson to the Leader of the House representing the Premier:
With regards to the proposed redevelopment of the Sunset Hospital site in Nedlands -
(1) When was the Sunset Hospital site first gazetted as a reserve and for what purpose?
(2) How many different proposals for the future use of the Sunset Hospital site have been seriously considered?
(3) Is the Minister for Lands aware that at a recent public meeting held at the site, more than 90 per cent of those attending were against the proposal to set up a private retirement village?
(4) Is the Minister aware that the same meeting expressed the strong view that the whole site be dedicated to heritage and conservation?
(5) If the site, being maintained as an 'A' class reserve in public ownership, is leased to a private operator, how does this benefit the public both in financial terms and with regard to access to the site?
(6) How do the proposals to build thirty retirement villas within the landscaped open areas, identified as being of heritage value, affect that heritage value?
(7) Is the Minister aware that the proposed villas to be constructed at the north western end of the site entail the removal of a heritage listed building, one that was transported to the site from the original Mount Eliza Depot?
(8) Is the Minister aware that the eastern end of the site is at present zoned as green for Parks and Gardens under the 1963 MRS and that this area is to be included in the urban zone under Government proposals?
(9) Is the Minister aware that it is intended to vest part of the site in the City of Nedlands and that only one percent of reserved land is currently vested in local council?
(10) How significant is the heritage value of the landscaped open space surrounding the buildings on the Sunset Hospital Site?
(11) How much of the land proposed to be transferred to Parks and Recreation under the current Government proposals consists of escarpment and cliff face?
(12) How much of the land proposed to be transferred to Parks and Recreation under the current Government proposals would be useable as public open space?
(13) How much of the land proposed to be transferred to Parks and Recreation under the current Government proposals contains good condition bushland and what steps would be required to maintain the integrity of that bushland?
(14) Is the Minister aware that there are empty blocks on Jutland Parade and Victoria Avenue, suitably zoned for urban use, which are effectively competing with the blocks proposed to be excised from the Sunset Hospital Reserve?
(15) Is it not the case that Iris Avenue forms the natural boundary between the upmarket urban development of Jutland Parade and the heritage place of the Sunset Hospital site?
With regards to the proposed redevelopment of the Sunset Hospital site in Nedlands -
(1) When was the Sunset Hospital site first gazetted as a reserve and for what purpose?
(2) How many different proposals for the future use of the Sunset Hospital site have been seriously considered?
(3) Is the Minister for Lands aware that at a recent public meeting held at the site, more than 90 per cent of those attending were against the proposal to set up a private retirement village?
(4) Is the Minister aware that the same meeting expressed the strong view that the whole site be dedicated to heritage and conservation?
(5) If the site, being maintained as an 'A' class reserve in public ownership, is leased to a private operator, how does this benefit the public both in financial terms and with regard to access to the site?
(6) How do the proposals to build thirty retirement villas within the landscaped open areas, identified as being of heritage value, affect that heritage value?
(7) Is the Minister aware that the proposed villas to be constructed at the north western end of the site entail the removal of a heritage listed building, one that was transported to the site from the original Mount Eliza Depot?
(8) Is the Minister aware that the eastern end of the site is at present zoned as green for Parks and Gardens under the 1963 MRS and that this area is to be included in the urban zone under Government proposals?
(9) Is the Minister aware that it is intended to vest part of the site in the City of Nedlands and that only one percent of reserved land is currently vested in local council?
(10) How significant is the heritage value of the landscaped open space surrounding the buildings on the Sunset Hospital Site?
(11) How much of the land proposed to be transferred to Parks and Recreation under the current Government proposals consists of escarpment and cliff face?
(12) How much of the land proposed to be transferred to Parks and Recreation under the current Government proposals would be useable as public open space?
(13) How much of the land proposed to be transferred to Parks and Recreation under the current Government proposals contains good condition bushland and what steps would be required to maintain the integrity of that bushland?
(14) Is the Minister aware that there are empty blocks on Jutland Parade and Victoria Avenue, suitably zoned for urban use, which are effectively competing with the blocks proposed to be excised from the Sunset Hospital Reserve?
(15) Is it not the case that Iris Avenue forms the natural boundary between the upmarket urban development of Jutland Parade and the heritage place of the Sunset Hospital site?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
23 November 2000
Response time
70 days
The Minister Replied:
(1) Land comprising Reserve 1667 was originally set aside on
3 July 1890 under the Land Regulations 1890 for "Recreation". The reserve was classified Class "A" by the Governor on 25 May 1900 pursuant to Section 1 of the Permanent Reserves Act 1899. Section 1 of Act 13 of 1904 changed the reserve's purpose to "Old Men's Depot site". An area on the western side of the site was acquired by the Government in 1911 and incorporated into the reserve. An area on the east, including the site of the 2-storey hospital building, was acquired in 1911 and incorporated into the reserve in 1921.
(2) All proposals considered have taken into account the need to retain the heritage buildings and to identify future uses that are compatible with heritage. The 1995 Conservation Plan suggested that the future use of the site for retirement housing is particularly appropriate.
An assessment was made of developing a nursing home, self-care and serviced apartments on the site but these uses were subsequently found to be non-viable. In view of the demand for high quality retirement housing in the area, it was felt that a retirement village was appropriate.
(3) The public meeting was organized by a group of local residents opposed to the redevelopment yet still a number of people voiced support for the retirement village. None of the invited guest speakers at the meeting represented those sections of the community in favour of the retirement village.
There was a high level of interest expressed in the retirement village when the concept plan was released for public comment late last year and the City of Nedlands has also confirmed a need for this type of facility in the area. Market research undertaken in the City of Nedlands between 20 - 24 September indicated that 63% of people surveyed in Dalkeith have an interest in a retirement village in the Nedlands area and 93% of these have an interest in Sunset.
(4) The concept plan identifies a viable use for the conservation of heritage and existing landscape elements.
(5) In financial terms, the lease payments from the retirement village developer / operator will be used to fund the maintenance of public areas of the site and aged related programs elsewhere in the State. In terms of access, the public will have access to most of the site. It is not intended that the retirement village be a walled compound, fenced off from the rest of the neighbourhood. However, it must be recognized that residents should be entitled to live in a safe and secure environment. These are design and management issues that are currently being addressed. Furthermore, this important heritage site will be conserved at little cost to taxpayers. The alternative would be for Nedland's ratepayers, or taxpayers to fund the considerable expense of restoring, adapting and maintaining a large heritage site.
(6) Redevelopment will enhance the heritage value of the site. The
buildings and grounds will be put to viable use, protected by heritage agreements. The Heritage Council of Western Australia is supportive of the redevelopment.
(7) The concept plan is indicative only and the Mt Eliza building may well stay where it is. This building has a history of being relocated and it could be placed elsewhere with Heritage Council approval.
(8) It is no longer proposed to create an Urban zone. The Western
Australian Planning Commission recommended, and the Government accepted that recommendation, that the proposed Urban zone be a 'Public Purpose - Special Use' reserve.
The eastern part of the site was always used as part of the Sunset Hospital and a number of buildings and improvements are located in this area. It has not been used as a parks and recreation reserve. Only a small portion of that reserve is proposed to be incorporated into the 'Public Purpose - Special Use' reserve.
(9) I am aware that some of the buildings may be leased to the City of Nedlands. I am also advised that there are 108 reserves in the City of Nedlands comprising a total area of 572 hectares. 64 of these reserves comprising 227 hectares (or about 40% of the total area of reserves) are under the management of the City of Nedlands. Recreation reserves make up more than 10% of the total land area of the City of Nedlands.
(10) A number of landscape elements at Sunset have been identified as having considerable heritage significance. These will be retained. All the existing landscape is considered to have parkland significance and will be kept wherever possible.
(11) & (12)
All of the parks and recreation reserve, including the escarpment would be public open space.
(13) The bushland in good condition will be retained. Hopefully, some areas of degenerated bushland can also be restored.
(14) No
(15) Iris Avenue provides legal access to private residential housing and the western end of the Sunset site. However the hospital was built in 1904 before Iris Avenue was constructed and any other residential development in the area. Sunset has been there for nearly 100 years and is on the State Heritage Register. There is already a residence on the eastern side of Iris Avenue. Notwithstanding this, it is now proposed that this area will also be included in the parks and recreation reserve.
(1) Land comprising Reserve 1667 was originally set aside on
3 July 1890 under the Land Regulations 1890 for "Recreation". The reserve was classified Class "A" by the Governor on 25 May 1900 pursuant to Section 1 of the Permanent Reserves Act 1899. Section 1 of Act 13 of 1904 changed the reserve's purpose to "Old Men's Depot site". An area on the western side of the site was acquired by the Government in 1911 and incorporated into the reserve. An area on the east, including the site of the 2-storey hospital building, was acquired in 1911 and incorporated into the reserve in 1921.
(2) All proposals considered have taken into account the need to retain the heritage buildings and to identify future uses that are compatible with heritage. The 1995 Conservation Plan suggested that the future use of the site for retirement housing is particularly appropriate.
An assessment was made of developing a nursing home, self-care and serviced apartments on the site but these uses were subsequently found to be non-viable. In view of the demand for high quality retirement housing in the area, it was felt that a retirement village was appropriate.
(3) The public meeting was organized by a group of local residents opposed to the redevelopment yet still a number of people voiced support for the retirement village. None of the invited guest speakers at the meeting represented those sections of the community in favour of the retirement village.
There was a high level of interest expressed in the retirement village when the concept plan was released for public comment late last year and the City of Nedlands has also confirmed a need for this type of facility in the area. Market research undertaken in the City of Nedlands between 20 - 24 September indicated that 63% of people surveyed in Dalkeith have an interest in a retirement village in the Nedlands area and 93% of these have an interest in Sunset.
(4) The concept plan identifies a viable use for the conservation of heritage and existing landscape elements.
(5) In financial terms, the lease payments from the retirement village developer / operator will be used to fund the maintenance of public areas of the site and aged related programs elsewhere in the State. In terms of access, the public will have access to most of the site. It is not intended that the retirement village be a walled compound, fenced off from the rest of the neighbourhood. However, it must be recognized that residents should be entitled to live in a safe and secure environment. These are design and management issues that are currently being addressed. Furthermore, this important heritage site will be conserved at little cost to taxpayers. The alternative would be for Nedland's ratepayers, or taxpayers to fund the considerable expense of restoring, adapting and maintaining a large heritage site.
(6) Redevelopment will enhance the heritage value of the site. The
buildings and grounds will be put to viable use, protected by heritage agreements. The Heritage Council of Western Australia is supportive of the redevelopment.
(7) The concept plan is indicative only and the Mt Eliza building may well stay where it is. This building has a history of being relocated and it could be placed elsewhere with Heritage Council approval.
(8) It is no longer proposed to create an Urban zone. The Western
Australian Planning Commission recommended, and the Government accepted that recommendation, that the proposed Urban zone be a 'Public Purpose - Special Use' reserve.
The eastern part of the site was always used as part of the Sunset Hospital and a number of buildings and improvements are located in this area. It has not been used as a parks and recreation reserve. Only a small portion of that reserve is proposed to be incorporated into the 'Public Purpose - Special Use' reserve.
(9) I am aware that some of the buildings may be leased to the City of Nedlands. I am also advised that there are 108 reserves in the City of Nedlands comprising a total area of 572 hectares. 64 of these reserves comprising 227 hectares (or about 40% of the total area of reserves) are under the management of the City of Nedlands. Recreation reserves make up more than 10% of the total land area of the City of Nedlands.
(10) A number of landscape elements at Sunset have been identified as having considerable heritage significance. These will be retained. All the existing landscape is considered to have parkland significance and will be kept wherever possible.
(11) & (12)
All of the parks and recreation reserve, including the escarpment would be public open space.
(13) The bushland in good condition will be retained. Hopefully, some areas of degenerated bushland can also be restored.
(14) No
(15) Iris Avenue provides legal access to private residential housing and the western end of the Sunset site. However the hospital was built in 1904 before Iris Avenue was constructed and any other residential development in the area. Sunset has been there for nearly 100 years and is on the State Heritage Register. There is already a residence on the eastern side of Iris Avenue. Notwithstanding this, it is now proposed that this area will also be included in the parks and recreation reserve.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.