Green light for WA’s first children’s hospice in western suburbs
By Sarah Brookes and Holly Thompson
Western Australia’s first children’s hospice has been approved after years of debate.
The WA Planning Commission held a significant development meeting on Thursday afternoon to discuss the proposal for the seven-bed Swanbourne facility, located in Allen Park within the City of Nedlands.
Artist impression of the approved children’s hospice in Swanbourne.
The hospice will provide full-time care for children with life-limiting illnesses outside a clinical setting, and includes a hydrotherapy pool, play spaces and gardens.
Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation, which is funding the facility, has raised more than $34 million – almost the total cost expected for construction, which will take around two years.
PCHF chair Ian Campbell said the WA community have been overwhelmingly supportive of the hospice.
“For everyone involved in its planning and design the hospice has been a labour of love, and we are delighted that it is now approved for development,” he said.
“Our unwavering goal is to build the best possible environment for these very deserving kids, and over the past 18 months a rigorous planning process has been undertaken to mitigate and manage any potential risks.
“For the 2000 children affected by life-limiting conditions across the state and their parents, siblings and extended families this long-awaited facility will fill a significant gap in children’s respite and end-of-life care.”
South Perth residents and long-time supporters of the children’s hospice Barbara and Adam Goodwin also welcomed news of the approval.
The Goodwins’ four-year-old son Winnie lives at home but has been under the care of Perth Children’s Hospital’s palliative care team for most of his life.
Winnie, who has a brain malformation and regularly requires oxygen, has early infantile epileptic encephalopathy, cerebral palsy, cortical visual impairment, dysphagia and is fed via a j-port.
“We are stoked to hear today’s news. We’re incredibly thankful that the hospice has finally been granted approval to begin works,” Barbara said.
“For kids with a life-limiting condition having the opportunity to fully recover outside of the hospital environment in future – near to the ocean, in the fresh air and with qualified care staff – will mean the world to families like ours.”
Councillors, town planners, community members and members of the foundation all made presentations at the meeting.
Nedlands councillors Kerry Smyth and Hengameh Amiry said the proposal was supported but was in the wrong location.
While there has been significant community support for the facility, the Nedlands council came under fire in mid-2022 for voting to advise the State Development Assessment Unit to object to the plans.
In a submission to the Unit, the council claimed the facility would be inconsistent with its surroundings and would limit public access to the reserve. They also expressed concerns about bushfire risk.
One councillor, whose comments were particularly inflammatory, suggested the proposal would be a white elephant that could be at risk of being accidentally bombed due to possible attacks on nearby army barracks.
Then local government minister John Carey described the comments as disrespectful and expressed his shock at the council’s decision.
“You lose words, you don’t know [how] to respond because it is so nonsensical,” he told Radio 6PR.
“To see this kind of commentary, that it’s a white elephant or just office space, is actually disgusting and it is disrespectful to the staff and to the people wanting to make this happen.”
Hesperia Director Kyle Jeavons also spoke up in support at the meeting. Hespiria will act as the project principal for the delivery of the facility.
He said it addressed requirements of the site but most importantly would provide care for the most vulnerable children and their families.
The WA Children’s Hospice will be Australia’s fourth paediatric hospice. Other facilities include Bear Cottage (NSW), Very Special Kids (VIC) and Hummingbird House (QLD).
Following WAPC approval, a head contractor will be appointed in late 2023. Construction is expected to create up to 120 jobs, with a detailed construction program available in coming months.
The 5000 square metre site was previously home to the Swanbourne Bowling Club and is located within an A-class reserve, which was excised from the City of Nedlands by the State Government.
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