Perth Voice Interactive

Bayswater city council has voted unanimously to reject people with mental and intellectual disabilities from living in Bedford.

Locals fear the proposal to accommodate three people and a 24-hour carer in Birkett Street includes housing ex-offenders with disabilities.

Authorities assured the council and residents no ex-offenders will be housed, but that hasn’t been enough to change minds.

The council received 11 letters of objection from residents.

“The disabilities are serious and the residents are considered dangerous and unfit to be in this residential area,” one wrote.

“There is concern about the type of disability which will be accommodated,” another submitted.

The facility was to be run by Teem Treasure, a private organisation contracted by the WA government. The outfit also runs a justice program for re-offenders.

Managing director John Treasure says no ex-offenders involved in the justice program would have been housed at Birkett Street.

“It would be solely for people with mild intellectual disabilities who have low IQs,” he told the Voice. “No ex-offenders would be there at all—I informed residents by email this was the case. Most of the people staying there would have jobs, but just need a little help to look after themselves.

“I offered to meet with the residents who were objecting, but they didn’t want to—it is all misinformation.”

Despite the assurance, council staff had written in their report, “the applicant has also advised that it is possible that there may be future residents of the facility associated with the ‘Teem Treasure Justice Program’”. 

Resident Brent Armanasco, whose daughter suffers advanced Parkinson’s, organised the opposition petition. He says residents are not opposed to a home for people with disabilities but they want rock-solid assurances the facility will never be used to house ex-offenders.

“I’m sure Mr Treasure has good intentions, but things can change over time,” he says.

Bayswater will send its recommendation to the WA planning commission, which gets to make the final decision.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK