The plan we agreed on for Old Swanbourne Hospital in 2004 and 2005

We argued, talked, compromised and agreed on a plan

Over a 3 year period starting in late 2003 and concluding in early 2005, the WA Government conducted an extensive and well run process of consultation with the residents of Mount Claremont and other interested parties through the Department of Housing and Works. The objective of the consultation was to identify the best possible use for the Old Swanbourne Hospital Conservation Area, which had lain dormant since 1987 and the subsequent  subdivision and sale of the surrounding land as the new suburb of Mount Claremont during the 1990's.

You will find a lot of material about this consultation process now stored in the National Archives including minutes of the meetings of the Working Group overseeing the community consultation, which was facilitated by Mr John Savell  from the Department and  comprising the Mayor of the City of Nedlands (who was then Laurie Taylor),  Nikola Horley (Councillor - City of Nedlands), Mr John Peirce (Local Resident), Frank Pitman (Department of Housing and Works), Daniel Arndt (City of Nedlands), Mr Bill Burrell (from the planning firm Taylor Burrell Barnett), Sally Birkhead (Taylor Burrell Barnett) and Lara Watson from the Heritage Council of WA.  

There were many meetings with residents and submissions received from other members of the public exploring uses for the Heritage Buildings, and in the end, through much compromise on all sides, the community agreed on the redevelopment guidelines for the site, prepared in consultation with the Heritage Council of WA. 

The property was then put up for sale through a tender process, subject to these redevelopment plans. The WA Department of Housing and Works reported in 2005 on its website that the WA Government had agreed to the sale for $6.65 million to Sealcrest Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Swanbourne Development Joint Venture, saying  that:

"All of the on-site buildings have heritage significance, requiring Sealcrest Pty Ltd to comply with specific uses nominated for each of the buildings.  The company will also have to meet the redevelopment guidelines which were prepared in consultation with the Heritage Council of WA."

The outcome of this process was the development of an agreed Outline Development Plan for the site, which was again reviewed by the Heritage Council of WA and subsequently incorporated into the City of Nedlands Town Planning Scheme.  I have copied a section of the Plan above - and you can download the full document from here .

The plan provides for the development of single houses and 28 apartments and provides ample scope for profitable development.

Why does the Heritage Council of WA now seek for the Town Planning Scheme to be suspended and planning control of the site transferred to the WA Planning Commission?  We agreed with the WA Government on a plan in 2005.  

Let's just get on with the development and preservation of the property as agreed.

Please write your letter to the Heritage Council of WA rejecting their proposal by 18 February.

David Thomas