Dockers lease of aged centre premature: Cr

by Rachael Hughes

April 8, 2008

FREMANTLE’S deputy mayor has voiced concern over the Fremantle Dockers’ bid to lease the former Stan Reilly aged care centre.

The Dockers have applied to take over the vacant brick building on South Terrace, currently reserved under the metropolitan planning scheme for accommodating local elderly residents.

Fremantle Deputy Mayor, John Dowson, says he’ll speak against the proposed lease at tomorrow’s council meeting.

“The Stan Reilly Centre has been used for community use for over 150 years,” Mr Dowson said. “A decision now would be premature.

“Councillors haven’t been given enough information about what the Dockers want.”

Cr Dowson is waiting for the results of a conservation report before he makes a final decision, but he says the centre may have other uses that would better suit the community.

“[The building] is not up to Australian standards for aged care,” Cr Dowson explained, “but it’s always been in a great location for people who can walk around and go into the city.”

Cr Dowson said the building could be used as a homeless shelter, but did not rule out partial leasing to the football club.

“The Dockers do need some more space,” he acknowledged.