FREMANTLE residents will have their first chance to formally weigh in on the city’s proposed overnight respite centre for people sleeping rough, with community consultation opening this week.
The proposal would see St Patrick’s Community Support Centre operate a referral-based overnight respite service from the former St John Ambulance building at 14 Parry Street, providing short-term overnight accommodation while connecting guests with support services and pathways to longer-term housing.
The consultation follows Fremantle council’s decision last month to back the proposal in principle, making Fremantle the first WA local government to offer one of its own buildings for such a service.
The Herald previously reported the proposal had been broadly welcomed by welfare organisations, businesses and many residents as a practical response to homelessness, but nearby neighbours said they felt overlooked during the initial decision-making process and feared the facility could increase anti-social behaviour in their part of town.
Mayor Ben Lawver said the consultation was an opportunity for all sides of the debate to be heard.
“We know the subject of homelessness is of great interest to our community, and we are keen to hear what’s important to them to make this project a success for everyone,” he said.
“This engagement process is an opportunity for the community to review the information, ask questions and provide constructive feedback that will help inform the next stage of the project.”
Residents, businesses and other stakeholders can review the proposal, complete an online survey and attend information sessions through the City’s MySay engagement page.
The proposed respite centre would provide overnight accommodation in a supervised environment rather than long-term housing, with guests linked to specialist services aimed at helping them move into more permanent accommodation. It would be operated by St Pat’s, with council considering community feedback, technical assessments and operational planning before deciding whether to proceed.
Community consultation closes on September 16.