PROPONENTS of an Aboriginal patient accommodation facility in Henley Brook have responded to community concerns about the proposal, clarifying the development would be privately funded.

Foundation for Indigenous Sustainable Health (FISH) project manager Kristian Rodd said the proposed facility for Nyiyaparli people travelling from the Pilbara for medical treatment would preserve the Swan Valley’s rural character while introducing horticultural activities.

As reported in Swan Aboriginal patient accommodation plans, the planned facility is not a hospital or a drug or alcohol rehabilitation facility.

Mr Rodd said following the previous report, some commentary they had heard incorrectly suggested the project would be funded by the government.

“It’s a private property, purchased by a group of people with their own money, and then developing it with their own money,” he said.

The organisation also acknowledged concerns about the potential loss of agricultural land under amendment 16 to the Swan Valley Planning Scheme, which seeks to rezone the property from priority agriculture to special use.

Mr Rodd said its examination of historical Landgate records, dating back approximately 40 to 50 years, indicated the property had not previously been used for productive agriculture.

Instead, the organisation intends to dedicate approximately 20 per cent of the site to horticulture, including the cultivation of native bush tucker and other Australian plants.

The horticultural activities would occupy the lower portion of the property, including land visible from West Swan Road, while accommodation buildings would be positioned on higher ground away from the road.

Mr Rodd said the rural setting was one of the reasons the Nyiyaparli community had selected the location.

“As much as everyone in this region values that aspect of this property, that’s exactly what we want to preserve about it as well,” he said.

Mr Rodd said FISH intended to retain all existing native trees and remove only invasive vegetation identified through environmental assessments.

The proposed layout would also protect a culturally significant WA Christmas tree, known as a moodjar, and retain trees identified as potential wildlife habitat.

The development would comprise 10 accommodation units alongside communal facilities and an art studio.

Mr Rodd said the smaller-scale accommodation buildings would be positioned to minimise their visibility from the road and provide residents with a peaceful environment during medical treatment.

Mr Rodd said FISH already met with several community members and welcomed further discussions with residents concerned about the proposal.

“Occasionally, people come to us with concerns on things that we maybe just hadn’t thought of,” Mr Rodd said.

“By raising those with us, we can almost always find a way of resolving it to everybody’s benefit.”

This Wednesday, City of Swan council resolved to advise the WAPC the proposed amendment did not comply with the valley’s planning act and note the WAPC’s invitation for comment on the amendment.

Cr Aaron Bowman, who moved the approved alternate motion, said there was no specific mention of how the FISH proposal integrates with horticulture, viticulture, hobby farming or equestrian activities.

“The amendment provisions would appear to preclude ... a number of agriculture uses that the Swan Valley planning scheme provides for,” he said.

Cr Bowman’s alternate motion also seeks to advise the WAPC of the precedent it may set which he said may have significant long-term impacts on the valley’s character.