7 hours ago
Why a vacant plot of land next to a new children's hospice has sparked outrage as a state politician attempts to take it away from a 'foolish' council
A Perth council has come under fire for opposing plans to build a park outside a hospital for terminally ill children.
The City of Nedlands pushed back against a proposal to transform the plot of land next to a new children's hospice that is set to open in Swanbourne mid next year.
In a statement, the council said the community had expressed concerns the 3,000sq metre park lay in a bushfire zone.
'The community have expressed concern regarding the bushfire zone and ensuring public access through Allen Park to the beach at all times,' they wrote.
'The city hopes these matters will be considered in the final plan and welcomes the opening of the hospice, which will provide valuable support and care for sick children and their families.'
Western Australian Lands Minister John Carey blasted the decision and announced plans to excise the 3,000sq metres from the council so the park could be built.
He announced the proposal on Saturday, aiming to transfer the beachfront site to the state government when the motion goes before parliament next week.
Mr Carey said overruling the council was 'the right decision'.
'I've not seen anything like it, I think Nedlands is one of the worst councils in Western Australia,' Mr Carey told Nine News.
'It is a damning indictment of the Nedlands council and their opposition to both the hospice and now this park.'
The Perth Children's Hospital Foundation (PCHF) will build the hospice.
The hospice is expected to be open to take on terminally ill children from mid next year.
PCHF chair Ian Campbell said the City of Nedland's council had 'made absolute fools of themselves'.
'We are delighted that the City of Nedlands has been made irrelevant and we can get on with building a beautiful native bushland,' he said.
'We're going to go out to the whole community and say here this is our master plan, this is what we're looking at doing, come up with better ideas, we want the community to own this project,' Mr Campbell told the ABC.
The Allen Park plot had been neglected, he said.
'It's a priceless jewel that the City of Nedlands has treated like absolute rubbish.'
In a statement, Mr Carey said the park would be an 'oasis for children and families at the most difficult point in their lives'.
'The decision to excise this land will allow the Perth Children's Hospital Foundation to invest in a park for hospice patients, families and the wider community,' he said.
'The Cook Government is continuing to back Boodja Mia, despite opposition from the City of Nedlands.'
The planning minister will lay the motion before parliament in eight days.
After two weeks before the chambers, if there are no disagreements, ownership of the land will change hands to the state.
The opposition has reportedly indicated their support for the motion.
