Balga NDIS Housing Project Approved Despite Councillor's Opposition
Plans to transform a dilapidated former gym building on Wanneroo Road in Balga into specialist disability housing have received official approval, despite vocal opposition from a local councillor. The State planning authorities gave the green light on Wednesday to the $5 million development project that will create much-needed accommodation for NDIS-eligible residents.
Development Details and Site Transformation
The approved project will deliver 22 two-bedroom, two-bathroom units spread across two stories, plus a dedicated consulting room. The development site, which has been abandoned for approximately a decade and suffered vandalism damage, will see partial demolition of the existing structure. City of Stirling planning staff strongly recommended approval, highlighting how the design would provide high-quality specialist accommodation for vulnerable residents.
The planning report emphasised that the proposal offers a well-considered solution addressing both planning requirements and community needs. The integration of communal spaces, thoughtful landscaping, and passive surveillance features would support resident safety, wellbeing, and social inclusion. According to officials, this development transforms a degraded site into vital community infrastructure, creating a safe, accessible, and well-connected environment for NDIS participants.
Councillor's Concerns About Anti-Social Behaviour
Despite the positive recommendations, Stirling councillor Michael Dudek, who represents the Balga ward, stood as the sole dissenting voice on the five-member Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel. Cr Dudek, who ran as the WA Liberal candidate for Joondalup in the 2025 State election, expressed significant concerns that the development could lead to increased anti-social behaviour in the area.
"As the councillor who represents the area, I'm very familiar with the past issues of anti-social behaviour around here, and other parts of Balga, Mirrabooka, Nollamara," Cr Dudek stated during deliberations. "But I think in recent years the area has turned a corner; there's been some very positive news stories coming out of Balga."
The councillor pointed to rising property prices and increasing interest from young professionals as evidence of the suburb's improvement, expressing concern that medium-density housing of this type could undermine these positive developments. He noted that similar housing configurations generate most of the complaints he receives from constituents.
Specific Objections and Community Feedback
Cr Dudek raised several specific concerns during the approval process:
- The proximity of the development to a liquor store, which he described as "a recipe for disaster"
- Difficulties in evicting problematic tenants, particularly those with disability needs
- Negative social outcomes he has observed from similar developments in Nollamara, Balga, and Mirrabooka
- His disagreement with conventional wisdom that density represents the best solution to housing shortages
During public consultation conducted last year, the proposal received mixed feedback from the community. Seven submissions opposed the development, with three specifically citing concerns about anti-social behaviour, while another seven submissions expressed support for the project.
Panel's Decision and Rationale
Despite Cr Dudek's objections, the remaining four panel members voted in favour of the development plans submitted by landowners Doublecrest Holdings Pty Ltd. The majority determined that the benefits outweighed potential concerns, citing several key factors:
- The site's excellent location near public transport, parks, and shopping facilities
- The project's potential to address social problems associated with the abandoned building
- Insufficient evidence that future concerns warranted blocking the development
DAP presiding member Francesca Lefante acknowledged the concerns but expressed confidence in the operator's responsibility to manage the facilities appropriately. Another panel member, Peter Lee, suggested that improvements to the nearby park could help address some of the issues raised by Cr Dudek, creating better community integration.
The approved development represents a significant investment in specialist disability accommodation in Perth's northern suburbs, transforming a long-vacant site into purpose-built housing for vulnerable residents while highlighting ongoing debates about urban development and community integration.
