❓ The Premier provides an update on the Sunset Hospital site transformation, including the sale of a small portion of land to the Sultan of Johor, and plans for restoration and public access. He also criticises the opposition's lack of support for heritage projects.
AnsweredQoN 427Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
SUNSET
HOSPITAL SITE
427. Mr S.K. L'ESTRANGE to the Premier:
Can the Premier inform the house on any recent updates about
the transformation of the old Sunset Hospital site?
Mr P.B. Watson : He
is getting ready to shift in.
The SPEAKER :
Member!
HOSPITAL SITE
427. Mr S.K. L'ESTRANGE to the Premier:
Can the Premier inform the house on any recent updates about
the transformation of the old Sunset Hospital site?
Mr P.B. Watson : He
is getting ready to shift in.
The SPEAKER :
Member!
AnswerView source ↗
I actually grew up near the Sunset site. I know a lot about
its quite sad history over 100 years. However, I was delighted this morning
along with —
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Girrawheen, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Along with the member for Nedlands and the Minister for Finance, I was very
pleased to announce that a small portion of the Sunset site has been sold—about
2 000 square metres or around two per cent of the around 8.2-hectare site. That
was a policy that we announced at the last state election, that we would sell
off that small piece of land, the matron's former residence, which is
off Iris Avenue. That land has no impact on the heritage buildings, and the
Sunset site is a magnificent heritage site. The land was sold for $8.5 million,
which is a very acceptable result to the state government. Somewhat
interestingly, the Sultan of Johor was the purchaser. Can I make the point that
there was no special arrangement; it was simply a private transaction and he
was the successful bidder. That now means that that $8.5 million will be
dedicated to the Sunset site. The first expenditure will bring in water, power,
sewerage and gas services. More recent non-heritage buildings or additions, and
they go back many decades —
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Bassendean, I call you to order for the first time. I want to remind
members that it is not obligatory to talk all the time in this chamber.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
All the non-heritage additions over the years, and there are many including
chapels and the like, will be removed. The exterior of the buildings, and they
are quite stunning, will be restored. The roofs will either be replaced or
repainted depending on their condition. The landscaping will be done and the
public, within about 18 months to two years—hopefully, 18 months—will
have full access to the site. There will be playgrounds and barbecue equipment.
This is the last headland on the Swan River—it is a big site; 8.5 hectares—and
that will be open to the public. Once the landscaping has been done and the
exteriors of the buildings have been restored, the buildings will be offered
for lease to community-based or not-for-profit organisations or maybe
educational institutions. The condition will be a low lease in exchange for
restoring the interior of the buildings to heritage standard. The Sunset site —
Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Midland!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Indeed, the university may well show an interest, as it has previously, as may
the City of Nedlands. This is a large complex. Very few people have walked
through it. It is basically a 100-year-old village in pristine condition with
about a dozen large, constructed buildings. Along with New Norcia, it is
probably the most significant collection of heritage buildings in Western
Australia. It is a pity the other side does not show some respect for heritage.
It is a pity members opposite do not show some support!
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Here they go again! Members opposite have had an awful period because in the
last couple of weeks this government has delivered the Sunset heritage
restoration project. We have delivered the medical school and the university in
Midland. We have delivered Mitchell Plateau into the National Estate and we
have delivered the Department of Parks and Wildlife into Bunbury. That is just
in the last three weeks! We are on a roll! We are on a big, big roll and what
do members opposite do? They grizzle and carry on and whine on like they do. Do
we not look forward to Daniel Parasiliti having a crack at Midland? We will
bolt Midland in.
its quite sad history over 100 years. However, I was delighted this morning
along with —
Ms M.M. Quirk interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Girrawheen, I call you to order for the first time.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Along with the member for Nedlands and the Minister for Finance, I was very
pleased to announce that a small portion of the Sunset site has been sold—about
2 000 square metres or around two per cent of the around 8.2-hectare site. That
was a policy that we announced at the last state election, that we would sell
off that small piece of land, the matron's former residence, which is
off Iris Avenue. That land has no impact on the heritage buildings, and the
Sunset site is a magnificent heritage site. The land was sold for $8.5 million,
which is a very acceptable result to the state government. Somewhat
interestingly, the Sultan of Johor was the purchaser. Can I make the point that
there was no special arrangement; it was simply a private transaction and he
was the successful bidder. That now means that that $8.5 million will be
dedicated to the Sunset site. The first expenditure will bring in water, power,
sewerage and gas services. More recent non-heritage buildings or additions, and
they go back many decades —
Mr D.J. Kelly interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Bassendean, I call you to order for the first time. I want to remind
members that it is not obligatory to talk all the time in this chamber.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
All the non-heritage additions over the years, and there are many including
chapels and the like, will be removed. The exterior of the buildings, and they
are quite stunning, will be restored. The roofs will either be replaced or
repainted depending on their condition. The landscaping will be done and the
public, within about 18 months to two years—hopefully, 18 months—will
have full access to the site. There will be playgrounds and barbecue equipment.
This is the last headland on the Swan River—it is a big site; 8.5 hectares—and
that will be open to the public. Once the landscaping has been done and the
exteriors of the buildings have been restored, the buildings will be offered
for lease to community-based or not-for-profit organisations or maybe
educational institutions. The condition will be a low lease in exchange for
restoring the interior of the buildings to heritage standard. The Sunset site —
Mrs M.H. Roberts interjected.
The SPEAKER :
Member for Midland!
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Indeed, the university may well show an interest, as it has previously, as may
the City of Nedlands. This is a large complex. Very few people have walked
through it. It is basically a 100-year-old village in pristine condition with
about a dozen large, constructed buildings. Along with New Norcia, it is
probably the most significant collection of heritage buildings in Western
Australia. It is a pity the other side does not show some respect for heritage.
It is a pity members opposite do not show some support!
Several members interjected.
Mr C.J. BARNETT :
Here they go again! Members opposite have had an awful period because in the
last couple of weeks this government has delivered the Sunset heritage
restoration project. We have delivered the medical school and the university in
Midland. We have delivered Mitchell Plateau into the National Estate and we
have delivered the Department of Parks and Wildlife into Bunbury. That is just
in the last three weeks! We are on a roll! We are on a big, big roll and what
do members opposite do? They grizzle and carry on and whine on like they do. Do
we not look forward to Daniel Parasiliti having a crack at Midland? We will
bolt Midland in.
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