RUAH COMMUNITY SERVICES
436. Mr C.J. TALLENTIRE to the Minister for Planning:
I
refer to the McGowan Labor government's commitment to ensuring that our
planning system supports responsible planning for services and
facilities for disadvantaged Western Australians, particularly women and children.
Can the minister update the house on the
status of the Ruah Community Services' change-of-use application and
provide information on what role the state government can have in these
matters?
Ms R.
SAFFIOTI replied:
I thank the member for Thornlie for that
question.
As we all know, Ruah Community
Services is a dedicated service provider. It has supported Western Australians
experiencing homelessness, family and domestic violence and mental health
issues for more than 60 years. One of its first services was a homeless drop-in
centre on Shenton Street in Northbridge, and it has operated on that site since the 1950s. Earlier this year, Ruah received
development approval for a new Ruah centre for women and children on
that site. The existing building will be demolished to make way for the
purpose-built seven-storey building, specifically
designed for the provision of services to women and children escaping domestic
violence. In preparation for this
change, and to ensure the continuity of homeless services in Northbridge, Ruah
purchased an existing building around
the corner on James Street and sought approval for a change of use of the
building to re-establish its drop-in centre. The proposed centre will
provide for people experiencing homelessness in the area. The community centre
is proposed to open between 8.30 am and 2.00 pm.
Application
for a change of use went forward to the City of Perth. The application was not
a development application, but purely one for change of use. The
responsible officer report said that the proposed use was not considered
incompatible with the existing commercial uses in the immediate locality and
could be managed appropriately to minimise any impact on residential properties
on the northern side of James Street and within the wider locality.
Unfortunately, the City of Perth council resolved to refuse the application,
and Ruah subsequently appealed that decision to the State Administrative
Tribunal. Ruah has also written to me asking that I, as Minister for Planning,
call in the application and that I determine that application for the change of
use. I want to report today that I have agreed to determine the change of use
application for that centre.
We know that the issues surrounding
homelessness are difficult, and they are difficult to manage throughout the
community. However, it is important that we stay strong and make decisions that
benefit the entire community, and in particular those who are at risk and who
need the services. Without this decision, and without this process, not only
would the drop-in centre for the homeless be impacted, but also the application
and proposal to build a seven-storey new dedicated facility for family and
domestic violence. It is important that the overall package from the state
government be considered from a strategic point of view.