22/01/06
The former Swanbourne Hospital has been sold by public tender to a Western Australian-based developer for $6.65million.
Housing and Works Minister Francis Logan has approved the sale of the site to Sealcrest Pty Ltd as trustee for the Swanbourne Development Joint Venture, which submitted the winning bid from more than 50 interested parties from around WA, Australia and overseas.
Mr Logan said Sealcrest had paid a 10 per cent deposit on the property, with the settlement transaction set down for March 1.
Set in parkland that offers panoramic views to the city, the 2.48ha site in the prestigious Perth suburb of Mt Claremont includes some of Perth’s finest landmark heritage buildings.
More than 5,000sq.m of vacant land is suitable for exclusive residential development.
The Minister said all the on-site buildings were of heritage significance and Sealcrest was required to comply with specific uses nominated for each of the buildings. It also had to meet redevelopment guidelines that had been prepared in consultation with the Heritage Council of WA.
The site’s buildings of significance include Montgomery Hall (once the second biggest theatre venue in Perth), the male attendant’s block, female attendant’s block, kitchen, store and administration block.
“For example, Montgomery Hall is designated for community use only and cannot be used for residential redevelopment,” Mr Logan said.
“There seems little doubt that when the Old Swanbourne Hospital was placed on the market, it was regarded as one of the hottest properties in town.”
Built in 1904, the site was WA’s biggest hospital for the mentally ill for most of the 20th century. It has been in mothballs since 1986.
Mr Logan said the Swanbourne Hospital was another State-owned building which had deteriorated over many years because of the inability of consecutive governments to make decisions for the future.
“The same thing happened to the Old Treasury Buildings in the city and the old Sunset Hospital site in Dalkeith,” he said.
“Both have been millstones around the necks of taxpayers for too many years, but this State Government has announced plans which will see those sites rejuvenated and given a sustainable long-term future.
”The State Government is committed to protecting and enhancing WA’s unique environment, including its heritage assets.”
Minister's office: 9222 8950
