Home›Questions on Notice›QoN 1202

❓ Hon. Anthony Spagnolo inquires about the status of the vacant Jewell House, seeking information on redevelopment plans and potential repurposing for social housing or community use. The answer deflects responsibility to the previous government, citing safety concerns and unsuitability for habitation.

AnsweredQoN 1202Legislative Council

Asked

24 February 2026

Member

Hon Anthony Spagnolo

Portfolio

Planning and Lands; Housing and Works; Health Infrastructure

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to Jewell House, located at 180 Goderich Street, East Perth, a significant State-owned asset formerly used for accommodation but currently vacant, can the Minister advise: (a) the current status of this property, including whether any redevelopment, adaptive reuse, sale process, planning approvals, expressions of interest, or feasibility studies have been progressed since it was vacated by the YMCA and ceased accommodation operations in 2015; (b) whether the Government has considered options to repurpose this asset for social or affordable housing, crisis accommodation, community use or sale; and (c) if yes to (b), when will these outcomes be delivered?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered

5 May 2026

Responded by

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Planning and Lands; Housing and Works; Health Infrastructure

Response time

9 days

(a) – (c)
Under the former Liberal National Barnett Government, a decision was made to close Jewell House, with the Government at the time advising that the building had reached the end of its useful life and could not feasibly be refurbished to meet serious compliance and safety issues. Due to its design, it cannot be reasonably adapted for safe habitation.

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