Preserve East Subiaco Reserve

28/10/2026

❌🆘❌ We are hearing PMH alumni do not want a tavern. See some of their comments below.

We urge you to get your objections in ASAP. You can see our previous post for more objections ideas you may like to copy and paste/reword/use etc. The link is so hard to locate (on purpose???) - it is in the comments on this post or on the previous post.

The POST Newspapers stated objections closed tomorrow. But we are unsure as the DevelopmentWA website has no closing date‼️⁉️ We are hearing some may have an extension to until next Thursday, the 5th. We hope the DWA website stays up for all.

To have a tavern and distillery on the PMH site flies in the face of the history, culture and ethos of the hospital that cared for children from all parts of WA. Such as children who were victims of domestic violence due to alcohol, children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) etc.

PMH represents the caring and supporting the health and well being of children.

Having a 500 person tavern and distillery that is open from 6am to midnight seven days a week leaves the site open to potential high risk behaviours and possible damage to the site that deflects (disrespectful to) from the history and heritage of PMH.

We do think a PMH Museum in the Outpatient Building near the reflection/memorial gardens to honour all who served, were treated and love ones lost would be fitting and meet designated Dev WA land uses.

Jonathan Huston MLA Sabine Winton MLA Meredith Hammat MLA Education WA Spacemarket Perth Modern School Parents and Citizen's Association Bob Hawke College P&C Simone McGurk MLA Mayor David McMullen, City of Subiaco City of Subiaco

24/10/2026

🆘Have Your Say - Suggested Objection Points – October 2026

Development WA (DWA) shortlisted three (3) proposals and have now favoured one and that is non-compliant with the DWA approved land uses as per the approved PMH Design Guidelines. This document underwent significant amendment after DWA receiving hundreds of objections from the community, school stakeholders, the Department of Educations and others. A tavern land use is not appropriate and DWA’s attempt to amend their own development approval must be rejected. The other proposal they shortlisted was thoroughly aligned with what the brief asked for, a community and cultural heart for a new neighbourhood. The team at Spacemarket "assembled a coalition of some of Perth's best cultural operators and hospitality partners, including ArtRage, Linton & Kaye Galleries, Alex Miller of Corner Gallery, and the team at Kith.” Spacemarket “combined forces with our architecture practice Archive, and prepared a fully detailed response: floor plans, renders, activation schedules, financial modelling.” Spacemarket also gained an in-principal approval for a cultural activation grant from LotteryWest.

We urge you to add your objections by NEXT THURSDAY (29 October) via this link:
https://developmentwa.greenlightopm.com/public/App_Advertising/31260828PFGnNnsoP

Some Background and reasons you may include:

Please ensure you select OBJECT. Currently, DWA are attempting to approve a 500-patron tavern and distillery open from 9am to midnight at the Boiler House site via an amendment to Development Approval – MRA-13833 Lot 501 (no 75) Roberts Road, Subiaco.

1) The land use the community and school stakeholders expected for the Boiler House and Stack (Chimney) as per Development WA PMH Design Guideline is, for “an indoor/outdoor community space, café, gallery, co-working space, event space or interpretive space.” Approving a tavern does not align with this nor the expectation of the community and must be rejected. The community will greatly benefit from (and did expect) an arts, gallery and community focussed style space as articulated in the Dev WA land use for this site.

2) A large-scale tavern is not an appropriate nor respectful use of the former children’s hospital site. Many of the children who were treated and cared for at PMH were there as a result of alcohol misuse.

3) A large-scale tavern undermines the heritage fabricate of the site and may impact families who visit the memorial garden to remember their families’ experiences and in some cases loss of a loved one.

4) This is not consistent with Subiaco Redevelopment Scheme (SRS) 2 which articulates commercial and retail floor space within its project areas (including Subi East) to complement rather than duplicate or undermine the primary core of the Subiaco town centre. It is also not consistent with the Subi East Master Plan (page 30) which states under Activation and Place Management, “We have allowed for a small number of strategically located commercial uses for cafes, restaurants or corner shops. The plan is to ensure we provide engaging public areas but do not compete with existing local businesses.”
Having a 500-patron tavern is an unnecessary duplication. A tavern or distillery at the PMH/1909 site will compete with the existing Subiaco and West Leederville businesses located in their entertainment districts/C*D. PMH/1909 future residents and existing nearby residents are already well serviced by a large number of nearby licensed premises and adult entertainment businesses in their entertainment precincts/C*D.

5) On 9 August, 2023 the Planning and Lands Minister Carey stated, the Princess Margaret Hospital Children Site (now branded 1909) creates “a connected and vibrant residential community”. He also stated, “This development (1909) holds great promise, bringing important housing density to one of the state’s most appealing areas nestled close to the C*D, West Perth’s business hub and the vibrant entertainment districts of Subiaco and West Leederville.” In the same speech in parliament Minister Carey acknowledged the community feedback and how the Government have “refined future development sites’ land use to ensure compatibility with existing nearby premises such as Perth Modern School.” Bob Hawke College also exists in the Subiaco Redevelopment area in what is often called an education precinct. A large scale tavern, with multiple floors containing many bars etc., contained in this development amendment is not supported by the Minister’s and Government previous statements on PMH/1909 site and should be abandoned.

6) It is apparent that Dev WA have selected the tenant and are now trying to bypass and/or amend relevant planning documents and the approved land uses for this site to accommodate a large-scale tavern. This is not supported especially given one of Dev WA’s shortlisted proposal thoroughly aligned with what the brief asked for, a community and cultural heart for a new neighbourhood.

7) The approved PMH Design Guidelines did not envisaged a land use with a tavern. There is insufficient parking to accommodate a tavern with a capacity of 500 within the PMH/1909 site. This is a major flaw that will be detrimental to existing and future residents, other users and school children and their families who navigate the education precinct of Subi East most days.

8) The PMH Design Guideline did not envisaged nor consider a business of this large size and patronage. PMH internal and nearby roads have not been designed to accommodate the additional vehicular traffic and foot traffic if this development amendment was approved. Children and the community who are already at a high risk of a serious injury or fatality will be put at an even greater risk if this amendment proceeds.

9) No Traffic Assessment report has been submitted as part of this major change of land use. This is a major flaw given existing traffic congestion around the PMH/1909 site.

10) A large scale 500 patron tavern will create considerable noise and would negatively existing and future residents and others who reside or are within close proximity. I object to the amendment.

11) The community, Department of Education and school stakeholders objected to the draft Dev WA PMH Design Guideline. There was large scale opposition to licensed premises at the PMH/1909 site. Substantial change was made by Dev WA as a result – licensed premises were removed from the approved land uses. It is disingenuous to ignore these for what appears to be a controversial commercially based decision by the state developer. The amendment must be rejected.

12) The Boiler House is opposite and in direct view of Perth Modern School and within close proximity to another Subi East High school (Bob Hawke College) a tavern is an undesirable use and must not be approved. The Western Australia Planning Commission (WAPC) August 2020 Operational Policy 2.4 Planning for school sites (OP 2.4) stated licensed premises have “real and perceived impacts on health, amenity and safety.” Research and evidence also prove, "Young People are particularly vulnerable to harm from alcohol because their brains and bodies are developing" (refer Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education - FARE and Alcohol. Think Again a State Government initiative). The Education Department, local school stakeholders were also aligned in their opposition and the potential risks and dangers to children’s health and safety where licensed premises are located within close proximity and/or view of school children. Dev WA appears to be trying to ignore and bypass the many authorities and stakeholders who objected in 2023. Unnecessarily exposing children to an undesirable land use where alcohol is supplied (including take away) and advertised must not be supported.

If you have any other suggestions, please either add those to the comments or send a DM.

See comments for relevant extracts including from Development WA's PMH Precinct Design Guidelines - Recommendation to Board for Approval, 6 June 2023. Boiler House land use etc. was approved by the Dev WA Board.
POST Newspapers Jonathan Huston MLA Dr Brad Pettitt MLC Meredith Hammat MLA Sabine Winton MLA David Honey Education WA This last minute attempt to amend an application for a tavern by the state developer is against DWA planning documents and key changes made after large scale objections. The community is not getting the community/gallery/cafe based space they were promised. It is also not okay to say some of that may be provided in the outpatient building which was also set for future community space. We think the Outpatient Building would would be an excellent place to display, reflect, educate, honour staff, loved one loss at PMH etc via a dedicated Museum - appropriate spot close to the reflection garden. Alumni have been calling for this since the so called Community Reference Group that Dev WA formed to "listen". The Museum also needs space to store the many boxes of records currently stored at PCH Mayor David McMullen, City of Subiaco City of Subiaco

23/10/2026

👎⁉️❌This is really an outrageous decision by the state developer. It is not what the community was promised nor what is outlined in their own rulebook - Refer to the Subi East Master Plan and Subiaco Redevelopment Scheme (SRS) 2. A 500 seat tavern is not consistent with these documents. For example, The Master Plan and SRS2 both state, "We have allowed for a small number of strategically located commercial uses for cafes, restaurants or corner shops. The plan is to ensure we provide engaging public areas but DO NOT compete with existing businesses."

The Dev WA PMH Design Guidelines and design brief which Spacemarket relied upon to create a "thoroughly aligned (with a)...............community and cultural heart for a new neighbourhood." 👏👏👏We applaud their work and vision and Lotterywest for providing in principle support for a cultural activation grant.

It appears disingenuous when Dev WA state that their decision to select a 500 patron tavern or "booze house" (open from 6am to midnight) wasn't based on a purely commercial decision!!! Really - so why did Dev WA chose a 500 patron tavern⁉️⁉️⁉️

We also always thought the Outpatient Building would be community based. To try and use that as an excuse is just awful...... A PMH Museum to share and display some of the materials gathering dust in boxes and boxes would be an excellent use of that space. A Museum also needs a large storage space. The Subi East Master Plan states - "Retention of the Outpatient Building at PMH with Memorial Garden as an opportunity to reflect the significance of the PMH site and its importance to the many in the community."

More to come including a list of objections you can consider when you let Dev WA that it is not okay to amend what should happen at this site.



Meredith Hammat MLA Sabine Winton MLA Education WA Alcohol. Think Again Jonathan Huston MLA POST Newspapers and Lloyd Gorman thank you - another front page.

20/10/2026

We really can't understand why a shortlisted detailed proposal that perfectly fitted the land use and celebrated the REQUIRED arts, cultural and community aspects was rejected for another tavern/"booze house".

The only reasons we can think of why Dev WA would ask itself & select a non confirming proposal is:
a) Dev WA favoured a higher rental return. 👎😱😡 Surely not for a community asset‼️
b) Perhaps some of Dev WA's staff performance bonuses/KPIs played a factor. 👎🤑🤠

Minister Carey's August 2023 statement made in parliament nails what we thought would occur and what the approved PMH Design Guideline stated. "A connected and vibrant residential community." Ones that "holds great promise, bringing important housing density .......nestled close to the C*D, West Perth business hub and the vibrant entertainment districts of Subiaco and West Leederville."

The Subi East PMH/1909 redevelopment is located in an education precinct that is close to existing entertainment precincts and the many pubs, taverns, distilleries. bars etc. contained within. The Boiler House was never intended to be another tavern that competes with existing similar businesses. Subi residents and future PMH/1909 residents really are well serviced by excellent businesses in nearby entertainment precincts. A vibrant community & event space, gallery, cafe was something all had welcomed and were looking forward to enjoying and supporting.

We have also included a couple of comments we thought made excellent points from the recent POST Newspapers Facebook post.

"so many children cared for at PMH as a result of alcohol misuse. A tavern is not really a fitting tribute!"

"An art space would be far more appropriate and beneficial to the entire community!"

Minister Carey, Minister Sabine Winton MLA Minister Dr. Tony Buti MLA and Roger Cook please reeducate the state developer and ensure your state developer reviews this poor decision and selects a proposal that meets their land use for the Boiler House.

18/10/2026

👎‼️❌We are shocked to learn that Development WA did not select a detailed proposal that was shortlisted and had been worked on by local businesses that fully met the community and cultural land use that all had been consulted on and expected for the Boiler House. We would hope that it is not too late for the State Government, its developer and Ministers responsible to select a project that fully aligns with the approved land use.

We really don't need a "booze house" in an education precinct. We also feel it is not an appropriate or respectful use of the Boiler House given the sites long history as a children's hospital. There are also plenty of other businesses who serve alcohol and provide adult options in the entertainment precincts of Subiaco and West Perth for future residents to support. Sabine Winton MLA Roger Cook Dr. Tony Buti MLA Meredith Hammat MLA Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage Alcohol. Think Again Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education - FARE Education WA

According to this link https://archive-office.com/culture/brand-perth they "assembled a coalition of some of Perth's best cultural operators and hospitality partners, including ArtRage, Linton & Kaye Galleries, Alex Miller of Corner Gallery, and the team at Kith. We combined forces with our architecture practice Archive, and prepared a fully detailed response: floor plans, renders, activation schedules, financial modelling. A proposal thoroughly aligned with what the brief asked for, a community and cultural heart for a new neighbourhood. That document, and the process, cost us around $50,000 in hours." They also state "Perhaps another booze house was what the precinct needed… But I'd invite you to weigh that against a brief that explicitly asked for cultural and community activation." Spacemarket

Perth doesn't have a branding problem. It has a decision-making problem. Architect Joel Benichou reflects on a recent roundtable with Perth's creative community and argues that the identity of our city is forged not through campaigns or logos, but through the collective courage of every planning dec...

16/10/2026

😐👎❌ Grrrrr Alcohol. Think Again Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education - FARE This change of land use is not aligned to the approved design guidelines that was substantially modified after objections from school stakeholders including the Education WA Sabine Winton MLA Huston MLA

We hear time and time again that "no amount of alcohol is safe for under 18s." and "Young People are particularly vulnerable to harm from alcohol because their brains and bodies are developing".

Alcohol. Think Again also reminds us that "Alcohol is a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning it's a known cause of cancer, and is in the same category as to***co and asbestos."

So why are our vulnerable young children being constantly let down by inappropriate planning around our schools, child care centres etc. 😭

The WA Planning Commission (WAPC) School Site Planning Policy use to be very clear that "Land uses such as.....licensed premises such as taverns, small bars and liquor stores .....are considered UNDESIRABLE next to school sites and have REAL and perceived impacts on health, amenity and safety." This sentence was controversially removed in December 2022. Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage

It is never okay to make a commercial decision that undermines kids health and safety. Only a few years ago the Department of Education and school stakeholders gained real change at the former PMH site with licensed premises removed from sites within close proximity to two public high schools in an education precinct. DevelopmentWA, as the state developer, must continue to listen and uphold planning that puts our kids health and safety first rather than commercially/profit orientated based decisions.

Subiaco and West Perth residents are already well serviced by existing businesses in their entertainment precincts.

Awful that Dev WA rejected what sounded like an exciting project that aligned with the land use in the design guidelines by Spacemarket

The approval process where Dev WA basically asks itself for approval is also 👎❌🚫⁉️👎

One member of the DWA development team has written to a senior colleague in the same section as part of the approval process to convert the old Boiler House into a tavern.

Gone will be the advertised proposal to turn it into a community art space.
The October 6 letter is part of an application advertised for public comment this week on the agency’s website.

The Boiler House is one of the few remaining buildings in the 1909 Subi East precinct encompassing the remodelled hospital grounds.

Story on page 1 of this week’s POST: postnewspapers.com.au

12/10/2026

😐👎❌ Alcohol. Think Again Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education - FARE We hear time and time again that "no amount of alcohol is safe for under 18s." and "Young People are particularly vulnerable to harm from alcohol because their brains and bodies are developing".

Alcohol. Think Again also reminds us that "Alcohol is a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning it's a known cause of cancer, and is in the same category as to***co and asbestos."

So why are our vulnerable young children being constantly let down by inappropriate planning around our schools, child care centres etc. 😭 Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage Dr. Tony Buti MLA Sabine Winton MLA

The WA Planning Commission (WAPC) School Site Planning Policy use to be very clear that "Land uses such as.....licensed premises such as taverns, small bars and liquor stores .....are considered UNDESIRABLE next to school sites and have REAL and perceived impacts on health, amenity and safety." This sentence was controversially removed in December 2022.

It is never okay to make a commercial decision that undermines are kids health and safety. Only a few years ago the Department of Education and school stakeholders gained real change at the former PMH site with licensed premises removed from sites within close proximity to two public high schools. Development WA, as the state developer, must continue to listen and uphold planning that puts our kids health and safety first rather than commercially/profit orientated based decisions.

We wish Sydney residents and child care and school stakeholders the best in the fight against a possible liquor shop underneath a childcare centre. Just like Subiaco, residents are already well serviced by liquor outlets and establishments.

07/07/2026

We have also expressed our concerns numerous times on this topic.

We do not believe the safety, security and wellbeing of children is paramount in Subiaco East. It is about time the government and associated bodies conducted real consultation and actually planned appropriately and funded what is required to ensure children's safety, security and wellbeing in this education precinct.

The Western Australian Government is investing $800,000 in a signalised pedestrian crossing on Roberts Road outside Perth Modern School.

While this crossing may provide an excellent photo opportunity, Perth Modern P&C does not believe it will meaningfully improve student safety. The real pedestrian safety issues remain on Cambridge Street and at the dangerous intersection of Thomas Street and Roberts Road, where students cross every day.

We call on the Western Australian Government to prioritise solutions that will genuinely protect students by investing in the locations where the risk is greatest—not in infrastructure that looks impressive but fails to address the real problem.

20/03/2026

✅✅💯YIMBYs – YES we are!! We wonder why Subi-Shenton Park needs a YIMBY group. New dwellings are being delivered at a rate above government density targets for Perth & [email protected].

✅✅💯We have always supported the addition of all 2,000+ new dwellings in Subi East (old Subi Nth). What we haven't supported is using large sections of a recreational reserve to do so - even if that is something some developers and their lobby groups desired for their large luxury apartments. 🤑🤠🤑 There was always a better, sustainable, healthier and safer way to deliver this Government's additional infill requirements, that also aligned with Council and community strategic plans. One that made sure essential infrastructure, like active playing fields, was delivered. For example, like the successful Subi Centro development which sank the railway line. That would have also vastly improved connectivity for Subi/West Leederville residents. Early on Dev WA knocked that back as it wasn't in the Labor Govt cabinet approved secret Business case. Questions to Dev WA and even in parliament failed to gain access to what exactly was in the $227M business case and tick box style "consultation" continued.

There is much to unpick in this front-page article POST Newspapers- some for another day. We can confirm Dan Caddy MLC has never reached out to our group nor to any other similar group or ratepayer style group we know of in at least two electorates. We would have so welcomed him.

We are concerned that Dan Caddy MLC is a member of the Select Committee that is reporting and inquiring into land development and planning. The Committee's Terms of Reference include inquiring on decisions made by the WAPC (Dad (David) chaired and led) and Dev WA - including the Subi East Development. Dan's partner, Penny Taylor is also the former Mayor of Subi/past Labor Candidate for Nedlands and is likely to be a key figure and/or person of interest if an investigation is recommended into this redevelopment. And YES we support a full investigation. Conflict of interest?

Post article in full - see comments



Neil Thomson MLC - Mining and Pastoral Region Jonathan Huston MLA Amanda Dorn - Animal Justice Party MP Dr Brad Pettitt MLC West Australian Ratepayers & Residents Assoc. Inc

A branch of the YIMBY prodevelopment lobby has strong links to the Labor Party that is pushing for high density in the western suburbs.

Subiaco-Shenton Park YIMBY attracted fewer than 15 people to a meeting at Found Brewery on Monday.

They included Labor MLCs Katrina Stratton and Dan Caddy, and a group of Labor election campaigners.

YIMBY is an acronym for Yes In My Back Yard.

The group’s founder Emily Williams and fellow members Matthew Mowe and Leonie Allison were recent Labor campaign volunteers.

“It’s a Labor front,” said Peter McDonald, co-convenor of the 450-strong Shenton Park Planning Action Group.

Check out the full story on the front page of this week’s POST: postnewspapers.com.au

19/03/2026

🙁👎😭The Commissioner for Children and Young People WA report has just been tabled in Parliament. One area of concern is around 1/4 of our children aged between 5 and 17 are overweight or obese. This stat has not improved. The report states, "Most cases of being overweight or obese are related to poor diet and low levels of physical activity."

Why then would any government sell off huge chunks of a vital recreation reserve to an offshore developer for their large luxury apts? The Malaysian govt developer is also promoting their apts at various overseas events to overseas buyers.....

The City of Subiaco already has a known undersupply of active playing fields at current population levels which has seen children turned away from their chosen sport at a FULL Rosalie Park. For any level of govt to consider selling off a former "A" class reserve makes zero sense, and one must wonder where their priorities lie 🤠🤑🤑🤑 A full investigation into the Subi East redevelopment must occur. Neil Thomson MLC - Mining and Pastoral Region Dr Brad Pettitt MLC Amanda Dorn - Animal Justice Party MP

Other extracts from this report sadly include:
"Less than two-thirds (61%) of Australian two to five-year-olds get enough exercise each day, dropping to 11% for 13-14-year-olds. Meanwhile, at least two-thirds (65%) of children across all age-groups exceed the daily limit of sedentary screen time (Table 24)."

"While most of the serious health effects of excess weight are not seen until children become adults, the diet and exercise habits established in childhood often carry into adulthood. This means that the one-quarter of today’s children and young people who are overweight or obese are at risk of serious health conditions in the future."

We have included the extract in full on this topic in the comments.


POST Newspapers Jonathan Huston MLA Maggie Dent Nature Play WA

Today I tabled the 2026 Profile of Children and Young People in WA in State Parliament.

The Profile highlights emerging trends affecting children and young people across Western Australia, including developmental concerns in the early years, declining wellbeing as children grow older and increasing mental health challenges.

Too often our systems respond when children are already experiencing distress.

If we want to improve outcomes for children and young people, we must invest earlier in supporting children and families.

You can read the full Profile on our website.
🔗 Link in the comments.