Three months after it closed in the middle of a bitter tit-for-tat between the state government and the City of Perth, an overnight safe space for women might once again have a future. Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas says he'll now support a proposal for the shelter to re-open in Northbridge despite previously campaigning against it.
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00:00 It's the difference a month can make.
00:04 Councillors at the City of Perth have not been in favour of these services being on
00:09 the main street in our main entertainment precinct.
00:13 It's not the best site, but I accept it is the only site that is on the table at the
00:18 moment and further delay when there is the inevitability that state government would
00:23 overrule us anyway doesn't do anyone any favours.
00:27 The Lord Mayor had been opposed to a planning application for an overnight women's shelter
00:31 to be run by the organisation RUA in Northbridge.
00:34 They previously operated out of East Perth with the City of Support up until late last
00:39 year.
00:40 Basil Zemplis has long opposed the Northbridge option but now says resistance is futile.
00:44 Then the sensible practical thing to do is say yes and have some control over the level
00:52 of security, cleanliness, management arrangements that go in place.
00:58 That's because approving it at a city level means the council would be able to enforce
01:02 RUA's management plan rather than the state government.
01:05 RUA's concerned about how that might work.
01:08 What I don't need is a micromanagement from the City of Perth.
01:11 What I need is really strong collaboration and support and being a partner in delivering
01:16 this.
01:17 It's a concern shared by the Minister who suggested Mr Zemplis bid to run for the Liberals
01:21 at the next state election could have been a factor.
01:24 I genuinely believe we could have resolved this matter sooner had the Lord Mayor and
01:30 the council not played politics, not campaigned against RUA who provide this critical service.
01:38 A decision on RUA's application and shelter for women in need will be made at a council
01:42 meeting on Tuesday night.
01:44 [BLANK_AUDIO]