Youth home outrage

OUTRAGED Casuarina residents do not want a Department of Child Protection youth home dumped in their neighbourhood.

The Department purchased a property in Lavery Drive adding to two already operating in Kwinana in Homestead Ridge and a rental on Thomas Road in Casuarina.

A spokesman for the Department said the home was purchased for between $890,000 and $940,000 and would house up to four children in short stay accommodation for up to three months.

Casuarina Wellard Progress Association President Danny Mitchell said residents were outraged that the home was going to open in Lavery Drive metres from neighbouring homes.

“They are dumping it here with disregard for the community, we don’t want it here,” he said.

“There is nothing at all out here for these kids, no public transport, no employment, nothing for them to do whatsoever.”

Mr Mitchell was frustrated the Department had not informed residents about the home at any stage.

“If they did inform the neighbours and didn’t try to hide it, people could plan security upgrades – they just snuck in under the radar,” he said.

Mr Mitchell said residents were concerned with Homestead Ridge resident’s claims of vandalism, drug taking and anti-social behaviour at the rental property in that suburb.

“These semi-rural properties are vulnerable, our fences are open and lots of men work away leaving mothers and children home along, in secluded blocks near this home,” he said.

One Lavery Drive resident said their property would lose value and because of the semi-rural blocks would be vulnerable to theft, vandalism and trespass.

“We already have Casuarina Prison and Palmerston drug and rehabilitation centre, we are fighting two sand mines, what else are they going to out in here,” the resident said.

In December, Kwinana Mayor Carol Adams met with Child Protection Minister Robyn McSweeney and said at the time she was given an, “undertaking by the Minister that no more (homes) will be considered in Kwinana.”

Cr Adams said she had spoken to the Department this week who said there would only be two homes in Kwinana because the Thomas Road property was a rental and would be vacated once the lease expired.

“The lease does not have an expiration date, so as far as I am concerned we have three homes, I am writing to the Minister to tell her the young people should not be placed at the Casuarina property until the Thomas Road rental expires,” she said.

The Department spokesman said he understood there might be some community anxiety and they would respond to any concerns raised by residents.

He said the department had recently started informing neighbours and local stakeholders about the home and had committed a community liaison officer for the area.

“These properties are carefully chosen and staff and residents will make every effort to be good neighbours and become a positive part of the community,” he said.

What everyone else is thinking

josephine holt

21/06/2010

I sympathise with the residents of Lavery Drive, for I too am in the same situation here in Darch. No notification, no consultation. I found out by accident. This is a family home next door to me under offer from the DCP. We live in houses placed on 600SQM blocks. The houses are close together. My outdoor area is very close to this house. The DCP are trying to tell me that all will be okay, but I have my doubts. We are concerned about the behaviour of the children that may be placed next door. How will it affect my families quality of life? Will it affect the value of my house? Does anyone care? I truly believe that the DCP do not care about the people living in the surrounding homes and the impact that it will cause to the neighbours. Will they compensate me for any loss I make when the time comes for me to sell and retire, in 5 years time? Sounds like a good idea, but realistically I don't think it will work. Another government department bullying its way into our lives.

julie

23/03/2010

Its all very well for samantha to say she is disgusted with people sterotyping these kids as being misfits, it is true they dont deserve they deadbeat parents as she puts it. The facts speak for themselves that some if not the majority of these kids cause alot of trouble. You only have to ask the people affected in these areas. There as been lots of problems in Stoneville, Wannero, and here in Wellard in these group homes, these kids do vandalise other peoples property, do insight fear in the elderly and vunerable. They do steal, abuse and threaten neighbours, The carers have no control over these young people and the kids know it, the young people can do as they please, they can come and go at any time during the day or night and cause trouble without fear of being punished for wrong doing.
I went to the meeting regarding this, the department make alot of promises that we all know from past experience is not worth anything
where is the solution, stop paying losers to breed

Samantha

16/03/2010

I am disgusted with you people sterotyping these poor kids before they even get into the home. These children didnt choose their deadbeat parents and they deserve like all children to have a safe and loving home to grow. That photo of you all standing there in arms - disgusting. Why are the kids being picked on you could have the worst neighbours with load kids next door to you in any street/neighbourhood. So welcome the poor kids they deserve a fair go.