How the Ozanam House relocation plan has split Labor

A Catholic Church plan to develop affordable housing in Stuart Park has split the Labor Party. Read the latest.

Plans have emerged of an affordable housing development at the old Ozanam House site on the corner of Stuart Highway and Westralia Street in Stuart Park.

The drawings, attached to an undated flyer believed to be from about 2020, proposed developing affordable rental stock geared towards low to middle income earners, targeting occupations including teaching, nursing, social services and police.

The emergence of the drawings coincides with a move by Ozanam House operator St Vincent de Paul to relocate the 50-year-old facility from Stuart Park to Dick Ward Drive in Coconut Grove.

St Vincent de Paul’s early plan for development at the old Ozanam House site.

Ozanam House lodged plans with the Development Consent Authority late last month to relocate Ozanam House temporarily to Coconut Grove while a new permanent side is found for the facility.

The plan has been widely condemned by politicians, residents and businesses seething at a lack of consultation and the potential impact of an influx of homeless people into the area.

Ozanam House provides showers, shelter and food for community residents either living rough or transiting through Darwin with nowhere to stay.

St Vincent de Paul Society NT President Jocelyn Cull was unable to say precisely how “temporary” the facility would be, but said it was part of three-pronged approach to project delivery.

Urban Housing Minister Ngaree Ah Kit. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“We anticipate the service to operate from Coconut Grove for two to three years while a permanent site is identified, and a new interim accommodation facility is constructed,” she said.

“With full support from the Territory government, St Vincent de Paul Society is set to deliver three key projects; the temporary relocation of Ozanam House services, the development of an interim accommodation facility and redevelopment of Westralia street into affordable housing,” Ms Cull said.

“The projects are moving ahead following years of extensive consultation with all levels of government, with all stakeholders focused on improving the lives of people who are vulnerable and facing hardship.

“The relocation of our day services is a short-term solution while we work proactively with the Lawler government to identify a suitable, permanent site for the day services in the interim accommodation facility to provide essential day services and safe, culturally appropriate accommodation.

Additionally, the relocation presents an opportunity to redevelop the Westralia Street site.

Member for Nightcliff Natasha Fyles. Picture Liam Mendes / The Australian

“Holding a crown lease in perpetuity over the Westralia Street site, the Society’s vision is to redevelop the Westralia Street site to provide much-needed affordable housing for essential workers such as teachers, nurses and others on low-income wages.”

Urban Housing Minister Ngaree Ah Kit said Ozanam House in Stuart Park was “no longer fit-for-purpose-purpose”.

“St Vincent de Paul’s plans to provide enhanced and more effective services to those who are in hardship, homeless, or sleeping rough are to be commended,” Ms Ah Kit said.

“SVDP has outgrown its existing facility at Ozanam House in Stuart Park which is no longer fit-for-purpose. SVDP have told us they need an interim site to temporarily relocate to while a permanent, centrally located base is developed.

A proposed design for the proposed Stuart Park development.

“They identified their owned site at Coconut Grove as the suitable location. The Coconut Grove location is currently subject to planning approval by the Development Consent Authority.

“The Northern Territory government will be supporting SVDP to find an alternative permanent site in a centralised location, that will be accessible from both Darwin and Palmerston areas.”

Ms Ah Kit’s position is opposed by her own Labor Party colleagues, who have straight-out said the facility should not be moved into a business and residential area like Coconut Grove.

Member for Nightcliff Natasha Fyles, whose electorate is next to Coconut Grove, said St Vincent de Paul had failed to properly consult with the community and the facility should be relocated.

Police Minister and Member for Fannie Bay Brent Potter said Coconut Grove was not an appropriate location and urged St Vincent de Paul to find an alternative location.