Plans to move Ozanam House from Stuart Park divides Darwin residents and business owners

Residents, former councillors and business operators have joined senior politicians opposing a plan to relocate Ozanam House from Stuart Park to Coconut Grove. Read their testimonies.

Residents, former councillors and business operators have joined senior government politicians opposing a plan to relocate Ozanam House from Stuart Park to Coconut Grove.

The move has sparked widespread anger around the suburb and split the Labor Government based on the lived-experience of traders and residents in Stuart Park, where the welfare agency has been based for 50 years.

Former Darwin councillors Rodger Dee and Chris Tilley are leading a community push to have the plan blocked when it hits the Development Consent Authority.

Objections to the plan must be lodged by Friday, March 8.

Former Chief Minister Natasha Fyles opposed relocating Ozanam House. Picture: Liam Mendes / The Australian

Ozanam House operator St Vincent de Paul lodged an application late last month to temporarily relocate the premises, but since then a queue of people have lined up to oppose the move development, beginning with Nightcliff MLA Natasha Fyles, who wrote to residents and businesses in Coconut Grove advising the homelesness services delivered in Stuart Park were being “transitioned” to Coconut Grove.

Ms Fyles and Police Minister Brent Potter in his capacity as the Fannie Bay MLA attended a meeting last week at Ruby Gs cafe on Dick Ward Drive to hear opposition to the move.

In her letter, Ms Fyles said she was “concerned this location has not been thoroughly consulted with the local community and have encouraged St Vincent de Paul to do so before progressing with this application”.

The plan has divided Territory Labor, with Urban Housing Minister Ngaree Ah Kit supporting St Vincent de Paul.

Dick Ward Drive resident Patricia Conroy has grave concerns about the move.

Dick Ward Drive resident Patricia Conroy said she was worried about her personal safety in light of the planned move.

“We already have trouble at the bus stop at 3am and I sleep with an axe at my front and back door and in my room,” Ms Conroy said.

“I don’t want it to get any worse than it is.

“It will make it more difficult to sell my house, and I just don’t understand why they want to move it to a place where there’s businesses and residences, rather than a bit more out of the way.”

Maria Okwa, owner of florist Beija Flor, also holds concerns.

“It will not be good for the Coconut Grove community or small businesses and local residents,” she said.

“I’m worried about the safety of our all female team. At the end of the day, we wouldn’t have opened out shop opposite the current site in Stuart Park.

Lisa Paselli Kruse from LPK Luxury Home Hosting said she had immediate concerns when she learned of the plan.

Ozanam House opponent and businesswoman Lina Paselli Kruse

“I was really surprised. This is a very senior-friendly area and we already have vulnerable situations and a lot of scary situations after hours, so I don’t feel this location would be suitable,” Ms Kruse said.

“The entire area is a flood-zone and I don’t feel like this is the right place. I have cameras and I can see what goes on after hours. Continuous screaming and shouting, people on the roads and I fear for seniors and families in the area that live here. It’s a great project but should be done somewhere else.”

Top End Mechanics owner Matt Benurbi said his business had already faced break-ins.

He said he was worried these will become more common if Ozanam House moves.

“It’s just a concern about the additional people coming in here and the impacts of those additional people,” he said.

Matt Benurbi from Top End Mechanics would prefer Ozanam House stayed where it is.

A business operator, who declined to be identified said they planned to install a high fence for security and Coconut Grove residents and former City of Darwin councillors Rodger Dee and Chris Tilley have also opposed relocating the service. Top End Electrical owner Paul Masten also opposed the plan.

In Stuart Park, a survey of businesses and residents showed there was overwhelming support for the facility to be relocated.

Another business operator who requested anonymity said traders regularly began their working day cleaning up body waste and rubbish from in front of their premises and watching police breaking up fights among homeless people.

“They sit at the park which is meant to be for kids and come into the shop wanting to charge their phone and they don’t like it when we say ‘no’,” he said.

“They should move it somewhere more out of the way.”

Originally published as Plans to move Ozanam House from Stuart Park divides Darwin residents and business owners