THE Town of Bassendean has moved to bring the heritage-listed Pensioner Guard Cottage at 1 Surrey Street back into public ownership after deciding the property’s restoration had not progressed under an agreement with the Perth History Association (PHA).

Council reaffirmed its December 2025 decision at its latest ordinary council meeting, authorising their chief executive officer to continue the process of transferring the property’s title back to the town.

The cottage, built in 1856 or early 1857 for Pensioner Guard John Law Davis, is recognised on both the National Trust of Western Australia register and the State Register of Heritage Places, and is regarded as the oldest surviving building in Bassendean.

The town originally transferred the property to PHA under an agreement requiring the organisation to restore the site in exchange for ownership.

According to the town, it regularly sought progress updates before the agreement expired in December 2025 but concluded the required restoration works had not progressed and that PHA had been unable to demonstrate the financial capacity to complete the project within a timeframe acceptable to the town.

The town said a formal dispute resolution process failed to resolve the matter before arbitration was pursued under the agreement.

It alleges PHA did not engage in that process, prompting the town to exercise its contractual right to proceed with settlement.

Town of Bassendean Mayor Kath Hamilton said council’s actions reflect a strong commitment to the responsible stewardship of the town’s-built heritage.

“The pensioner guard cottage is an irreplaceable part of Bassendean’s story (and) bringing the site back into town ownership allows us to ensure it is protected and to carefully plan for its restoration and future community use,” she said.

According to the town, should the site return to town ownership, council would look to carefully plan for restoration and investigate potential future uses that support community access and engagement, including education, exhibitions, community and arts activities, or other complementary uses.

Bassendean resident Gerry Coleman said while he welcomed efforts to preserve the building, he questioned how the town would fund the restoration and ongoing maintenance.

Mr Coleman said the town had previously determined it did not have the financial capacity to undertake the works before transferring the property and believed residents would want to understand what had changed.

“Where is the money coming from to maintain and transform this?” he said.

“With the recent Wind in the Willows situation and the need to renovate and refurbish the cottage into something usable for the community, the question is where will the town get the money to fund this cottage even if they acquire it?”

Acting chief executive officer Shane Asmus said since entering the original agreement with PHA, the town had significantly strengthened its financial position.

“Prudent financial management in recent years has increased reserves, improved long-term planning, and reduced cost pressures, placing the town on a much stronger footing to deliver complex projects,” he said

“Independent benchmarking through the WA Local Government Financial Index shows consistently strong results across key indicators, including liquidity, debt capacity and long-term financial sustainability.

“Coupled with more than 80 per cent growth in reserves over the past five years, this gives the town confidence it is now better placed to oversee the restoration of the Pensioner Guard Cottage and ensure it is completed to an appropriate standard for the community.”

Mr Asmus said the town was working through external funding opportunities and staged council investment over time.

“The town will actively pursue opportunities through heritage and community funding programs, including organisations such as Lotterywest and the National Trust.

“In parallel, a suitable management arrangement will be considered through an open process to support the cottage’s ongoing operation, maintenance and activation once restored.”

According to Mr Asmus, funding has already been allocated in the 2026/27 budget for the initial planning works and informs the future budget process.

“The immediate next steps include undertaking a structural assessment of the building, progressing concept planning, and preparing grant submissions to support the restoration,” he said.