Nedlands children’s hospice: Minor party MLCs call for rethink on hospice plans

Minor party MPs want to review a State Government decision to hand over part of a reserve for a children’s hospice in the western suburbs. Known as “Boodja Mia” or “Sandcastles”, the $34 million hospice is scheduled to open later this year and provide around-the-clock care, end-of-life support and respite accommodation for families with children facing life-limiting conditions. It will be based on part of Allen Park in Swanbourne. The project was previously stalled amid public debate over use of reserve land, including a sensational claim by a former City of Nedlands councillor it could be a bomb target for hostile foreign powers. Earlier this year, then-Nedlands mayor Fiona Argyle arranged and paid for a billboard warning “hands off” the class-A reserve. In June John Carey used his power as lands minister to take control of Allen Park and to hand its management to the Child and Adolescent Health Service. But in WA Parliament’s Legislative Council on September 9, Animal Justice Party MLC Amanda Dorn gave a notice of motion to disallow the land being excised. Ms Dorn said nothing in her proposal prevented the hospice from being built. “I support the development of WA’s first children’s hospice and the compassionate care it will provide families,” she said. “What is at stake here is the principle of protecting our most valued public open spaces. “Class-A reserves were created to ensure that treasured community land is protected for all people. Parliament has a duty to scrutinise any proposal that would remove this highest level of protection.” She said the area in question was a “vital connecting corridor” that was used by thousands of people. “Removing its class-A protection sets a precedent that undermines the long-term protection of all class-A reserves across the State,” Ms Dorn said. Her proposal has been backed by Greens WA and Legalise Cannabis WA representatives. Greens MLC Brad Pettitt said class-A reserves were “precious commodities” and the Allen Park plan deserved scrutiny. “They’re the highest reserve protected by Parliament, so whenever we’re taking land out of those, my initial response to such a thing is well, let’s look at this closely. This is absolutely necessary,” he said. “We’ve really been very supportive of the both the hospice and the park land and we want both to go ahead. “What we’ll unpack through the disallowance motion is if you could do that project whilst retaining the A-class reserve. “My sense is that that’s entirely possible. In fact, that was the Government’s original plan when they were speaking with the City of Nedlands. “It would have been better if an agreement had been able to be reached between the children’s hospice and the council, because if that was the case, then we wouldn’t be having this debate.” Legalise Cannabis WA MLC Brian Walker said the motion was not about denying sick children anything. “As a medical practitioner, I am acutely aware how much can be gained from creating such a facility,” Dr Walker said. “This is about ensuring that the Government has the correct processes in place, and that the land tenure is secure going forward. “I have heard from a lot of concerned local residents who have questions, firstly concerning how the Government has chosen to go about this process, and secondly concerning whether an excision is even required to accommodate a playground.” He said debate over the excision was better sooner than later and had asked for a briefing with the minister for planning. Mr Carey said the motion was “incredibly disappointing” and “not based on any credible information”. “The public park will be an oasis for children and families at an unimaginably difficult time in their lives,” he said. When he excised the land earlier this year, Mr Carey said it had not been maintained “in any meaningful way” despite being classed a class-A reserve. “Frankly, the City of Nedlands council have demonstrated the worst form of NIMBYism,” he said at the time. A City of Nedlands spokesperson said at the time it was required to maintain low vegetation on the land proposed for excision because it was in the key bushfire protection zone. “The community have expressed concern regarding the bushfire zone and ensuring public access through Allen Park to the beach at all times,” they said. “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 the sick children and their families.”