GUILDFORD-based MLC Anthony Spagnolo has accused the state government of a lack of progress in developing the former Swan District Hospital site.

He said the Cook Labor government had spent almost $4.9 million maintaining the former hospital site since its closure in 2015, including $4.6m on security.

“A further $1.4m has now been committed for security through to 2029, adding to the ongoing cost of a site that still sits unused. The ongoing spend, with no clear outcome in sight, highlights the Cook government’s failure to act on housing in Midland,” Mr Spagnolo said.

“For nearly a decade, the Labor government has left this site idle while costs to taxpayers climb into the millions and a clear opportunity to boost housing supply in Midland is missed.

“At a time of acute housing pressure, people in Midland know this land should be put to use, and they’re right.”

Mr Spagnolo said the pathway to development was already in place.

“The City of Swan has already zoned the site for housing, including over-55s living, and we support that direction,” he said.

“Our view is that if the site were taken to market, there would be strong interest from private developers to deliver that outcome, putting the land to productive use and helping address local housing demand in Midland.

“It would also bring an end to the outrageous ongoing cost of providing security guards for derelict buildings.

“The land is already zoned for housing, the City of Swan supports it, and the community supports it – what’s missing is action from the state government. This doesn’t require a complex solution. It requires leadership and a decision to get on with it.

“After nine years, there is nothing to show but a growing bill for taxpayers. Residents want to see this site revitalised and contributing to the Midland area again – not sitting vacant year after year.

“The government can’t claim to be pulling every lever in tackling the housing crisis while holding back a prime housing site, in the heart of Midland,” he said.

Planning and Lands Minister John Carey said the former Swan Districts Hospital was decommissioned in 2015 and remains offered for inclusion in the South West Native Title Settlement - an historic agreement with the Noongar people.

As reported in Swan District Hospital in ruins and in limbo then Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Lisa Dobrin said the site was quarantined from external interests until a decision was made on its transfer to Noongar management with contamination and illegal access cited as reasons the offer wasn’t yet accepted and said it needed to be in an acceptable state.

“It recognises the historical dispossession and removal of Noongar people from their land. The state will continue to respectfully engage with Whadjuk Aboriginal Corporation (WAC) as the relevant Noongar Regional Corporation,” Mr Carey said.

“The Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage continues to work with WAC in relation to the offer, noting the site is complex, will require extensive remediation and covers many land parcels.”

Regarding the ongoing costs for security the minister told Echo News that departments take necessary measures to mitigate unauthorised access, vandalism and antisocial behaviour at sites, as required.

He said the Cook government was supporting the delivery of thousands of new homes through major urban renewal projects and is also partnering with industry to unlock thousands of hectares of land for new housing estates.

“We are also partnering with the federal government to deliver more affordable rentals in Woodbridge and Midland as part of an historic program of works,” Mr Carey said.

He said Woodbridge was set to deliver 56 apartments, 44 affordable and 12 social homes while Midland was set to deliver 120 apartments, 96 affordable and 24 social homes.