Unveiling of Sunset Hospital Redevelopment Concept

29/8/99

More than 60 per cent of the historic Sunset Hospital site overlooking the Swan River foreshore will be reserved as public open space and for community use as part the State Government's redevelopment plans for the land.
Unveiling the Sunset Hospital Redevelopment Concept at a meeting with City of Nedlands councillors today, Mr Court said the plans for the site, which include the preservation and conservation of the Sunset heritage buildings, would now be the subject of a thorough public consultation process.
He said the concept plan allowed for the majority of the site to be returned to the people of Perth for their enjoyment.
Sunset will be the second heritage listed former hospital site on the Swan River that the State Government has preserved for community use. South of Perth, the Heathcote Hospital site is currently being restored by the Government and will be used for a number of public purposes.

"Both of these sites have significant heritage value and the Government is pleased that the historic buildings will be returned to their former glory and the site will once again be part of community life," the Premier said.
The first buildings on the Sunset Hospital site were designed in 1904 after State Parliament declared the area an A Class Reserve and annexed the land for use as an old men's home.
The original buildings accommodated 400 men and the first stage of construction included three ward blocks, an infirmary, kitchen and dining hall, laundry facilities plus accommodation for the Master of the Home and the attendants.
The need to provide accommodation for the needy in the early 1900s had grown significantly due to the fact that many ex-convicts, who had not been able to make an independent life for themselves, were quite elderly and later there had been an the influx of diggers from the gold rush days who had lost everything.
Mr Court said the redevelopment concept allowed for part of the site to be leased to a private operator for aged housing.
He said all the land would be retained in Government ownership apart from a small portion that would be rezoned as two single residential lots and sold.

"Since the closure of Sunset Hospital in 1995 there has been widespread consultation and discussion regarding the possible future uses of the site involving the City of Nedlands, Heritage Council of Western Australia, various Government agencies and a number of not for profit and private aged care providers," the Premier said.
"The release of the concept represents another step forward in determining the final redevelopment plan for the site."
Mr Court said there had been careful consideration of arrangements for the ongoing management of the Sunset site.
"An interim advisory committee will be established immediately and will be responsible for the day to day management of the project in the short term," he said.
"This will be followed by the formation of a Sunset Park Trust and a Sunset Management Committee to oversee the implementation of the redevelopment plans for the site.
"Due to the rezoning and heritage approval processes required for the site work on landscaping and building refurbishment is not expected to start until January 2001.
"Initially, people will have until the end of October to make submissions on the redevelopment concept. However, the formal planning approval process will provide a second opportunity for people to comment on the plan.
"An application for rezoning approval from the Western Australian Planning Commission will be progressed with consideration for the outcomes of the public consultation period."

Further information about the Sunset Hospital Redevelopment Concept can be obtained from the Government Projects Office on 9222 9777 or from the City of Nedlands.
Media contact : Bronwyn Hillman 0417 991 923