State Government transfers Wearne Hostel to local councils

26/2/02
The Wearne Hostel for the Aged will be vested with the Shire of Peppermint Grove, the Town of Cottesloe and Town of Mosman Park.
Health Minister Bob Kucera said today the Cottesloe landmark would be transferred to the local councils at no cost as joint tenants.
"The Department of Land Administration is currently arranging the necessary transfer documentation," Mr Kucera said.
"As the property is listed on the State Heritage Register, the Heritage Council of Western Australia has been requested to progress a Heritage Agreement to ensure that the property is preserved for future generations.
"Once the Heritage Agreement is finalised and executed by relevant parties, it will be forwarded to the Department of Land Administration for lodgement on the Certificate of Title (Conditional Land Tenure)."
Mr Kucera said Wearne Hostel was already leased to Curtin Aged Persons Homes Inc (CAPH) for operational purposes for a term of 21 years with an option to renew for a further 10 years.
The Town of Claremont, which was also involved in CAPH, did not wish to be included in the new vesting arrangements.
The lease term, which began in 1983, expires in 2004 or alternatively in 2014, if the option of renewal provided in the lease is taken up by CAPH.
"The vesting was necessary to provide the security sought by Churches of Christ Homes - the current operators - before they were prepared to invest the necessary funds to allow the facility to be upgraded to meet the Commonwealth's latest accreditation standards," Mr Kucera said.
"The former State Government failed to deliver on this issue - that is why I'm very pleased we have been able to work with the councils and the Churches of Christ to deliver a sense of certainty for the future of what is a very important facility."
Minister's Office - 9213 7000