WA Lands Minister Overrules Nedlands Council on Park for Terminally Ill Children

The City of Nedlands council in Perth faced heavy criticism for opposing plans to build a 3,000 square meter park next to a new children's hospice for terminally ill kids in Swanbourne. Western Australian Planning and Lands Minister John Carey intervened, overruling the council's decision and aiming to transfer the land from council to state ownership to ensure the park's development. Carey condemned the council, calling it one of the worst in Western Australia and criticized its opposition to both the hospice and the park. The Perth Children's Hospital Foundation, which is building the hospice set to open mid-next year, expressed relief and frustration, highlighting the council's stance as an obstruction to the project. The council cited community concerns about bushfire risks and maintaining public beach access as reasons for their opposition. However, supporters argue the park will provide a valuable, beautiful native bushland space for families and terminally ill children, and the land transfer is expected to proceed if uncontested in two weeks.