Sonja Pastor urges former Sports House site at Fannie Bay be used for aged care facility extension
The future of the former Sports House location in Fannie Bay continues to be a source of disagreement between government planners and local residents.
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The future of the former Sports House location in Fannie Bay continues to be a source of disagreement between government planners and local residents.
Even before its demolition in 2015, the space at 7 Waratah Crescent was earmarked for residential development to increase housing supply.
Some locals say the space would better serve the community by extending the existing aged care facility that backs onto the vacant lot.
For Fannie Bay resident and 40-year Top End local Sonja Pastor, the shortage of aged care beds is the more pressing issue.
“This reallocation of land for elite private housing is especially troubling given Darwin’s severe shortage of aged care places,” Ms Pastor said.
“At least 70 individuals remain in hospital wards long-term, and many more are waiting at home for a supported place.”
Ms Pastor said the land would better serve the community by extending the Pearl Retirement Resort directly north of the lot.
“We would like to see this space used for aged care,” she said.
She fondly remembers the old Sports House facility.
“I’ve been there many times, it’s always been a community space.”
The 1.46 hectare site was rezoned from community purpose to medium density residential in 2013.
Last year, Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Minister Eva Lawler rezoned the northern portion of the site back to community purpose, allowing for the construction of an additional 26 aged care beds.
Land Development Corporation (LDC) plans to transform the remaining 9,150 sqm into 26 terrace houses to “increase housing options for Territorians”.
A LDC spokeswoman said the rezoning in 2013 indicated the space was always destined to provide for medium density residential development.
She said their proposal for 26 two-storey houses was also much lower than the permitted limit of 70 units in a four-storey development.
She said the LDC hoped the proposed development “will activate and breathe new life into the old Sports House site which has been vacant for 10 years”.
Residents have until December 6 to send their feedback on the proposed development project to feedback@trunorthcomm.com.au.
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