Businessman Paul Masten questions Ozanam House move

Plans by the Catholic Church to move Ozanam House out of Stuart Park have sparked concerns. Read where it’s going.

A plan to temporarily relocate Ozanam House from Stuart Park to Coconut Grove has drawn an angry response from concerned businesses who say the move would be detrimental.

St Vincent de Paul Society formally lodged an application with government late last month to build the community centre at 107 Dick Ward Drive, with public submissions due by midnight Friday.

But business operators and property owners made their opposition to the proposal known to NT Police Minister Brent Potter and Nightcliff MLA Natasha Fyles during a Friday afternoon meeting at Ruby Gs cafe.

And the meeting proved effective, with Mr Potter and Ms Fyles both opposing the plan.

The centre will be built in a storm surge zone and will replace the existing day support services facility at 2 Westralia Street in Stuart Park for the provision of “essential homelessness dignity services”.

“On average, approximately 100 people use the existing Stuart Park Ozanam House each day, with around 200-300 meals, showers, laundry and other support services provided,” St Vinnie’s submission said.

Ozanam House in Stuart Park. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“The proposed Coconut Grove facility will be a temporary facility as St Vincent De Paul NT

work with the Northern Territory government to identify a new permanent facility location. “The Coconut Grove facility will provide day support and social wraparound services to ensure a safe space. Access to the site will include separate entrances for vehicles and pedestrians from Dick Ward Drive.

“There will be two concrete pedestrian paths to the facility and a right of way easement has been proposed ... for vehicular access. The proposal also contains six carparking spaces and four bicycle spaces with storage space.”

Structures include a reception area, servery, laundry, medical room, offices, toilet and showers, wet and dry storage areas, undercover eating dome and shade structure.

“The proposed Coconut Grove community centre will provide essential services to include meals, showers and laundry facilities,” the application said.

“The facility will also provide comprehensive, tailored, wraparound assistance and support, helping to address a wide range of needs for homeless people and those visiting from communities, including access to housing, legal and healthcare services.”

St Vincent de Paul Society’s Coconut Grove site.

Larrakia Nation will provide security at the centre, which is proposed to be open Monday to Friday from 7.30am to midday and an internal shaded area will be provided and open from 6.30am to 2.30pm, subject to demand.

A 1.8m chain mesh fence surround the site.

Coconut Grove business owner Paul Masten is objecting to the plan and has contacted MLAs, councillors, political candidates and media with his objections.

“My business operations and general wellbeing will be directly impacted if St Vincent De Paul are successful in their application to a change in use, and relocate their shelter,” he said.

His objections included concerns with anti-social behaviour, particularly around the Nightcliff shopping centre, increased access to alcohol and drugs, impact on insurance premiums, business security and the availability of alternative sites.

“In my view a shelter needs to be located away from a built up residential and commercial area and designed to cause minimal social and commercial impact.

Ms Fyles said St Vincent de Paul had not completed adequate consultation and is urging them to consider more appropriate locations.

“I support the relocation of the services that St Vincent de Paul offer but they should not be relocated to Coconut Grove, even on a temporary basis,” Ms Fyles said.

Mr Potter similarly supported relocation, but not to Coconut Grove.

“I do not believe Coconut Grove is the appropriate location and I urge Vinnies to assess options more suited to their needs.”

Urban Housing Minister Ngaree Ah Kit said she supported “an alternative, permanent site in a centralised location”.