City announces decision on Shalom House

Published on 05 July 2018

The City of Swan has refused a proposed ‘change of use’ application by the residential rehabilitation centre Shalom House.

Shalom House submitted a development application to the City three years ago to change the classification of their building to ‘Community Purposes’.

The application was initially rejected because the City considered that the property was more appropriately classified as a ‘Residential Building’, which did not allow the organisation to be run from there.

This decision was considered in both the State Administration Tribunal (SAT) and the Supreme Court. The City was requested by SAT to advertise and reconsider the application.

At a Council meeting last night, a motion to refuse Shalom House’s application was carried, following community consultation.

City of Swan Mayor David Lucas said the application and decision to refuse Shalom House’s application had been given full consideration.

“This issue has been given full consideration, and I believe this is one of the most difficult decisions to come before Council in decades” said Mayor Lucas.

“We will respect Council’s decision on this matter and continue to support Shalom House to help them provide the care and support offered to their patrons.”

Shalom House CEO Peter Lyndon-James is a Councillor at the City of Swan and excused himself from last night's meeting during the deliberations due to his financial interest.

By reconsidering the classification, the matter will now be heard again by SAT in August.