St Pat’s Respite Centre Proposal

The City of Fremantle, in partnership with St Patrick's Community Support Centre (St Pat's), is developing a proposal for an overnight respite centre at 14 Parry Street Fremantle.

Homelessness is a complex issue affecting communities across Western Australia. While housing and homelessness are primarily the responsibility of State and Federal Governments, local governments also play a role in supporting community wellbeing, working with specialist service providers, advocating for additional services and making strategic use of community assets where appropriate.

Fremantle has an existing network of homelessness support services but currently has no dedicated overnight respite accommodation. The proposed service at the currently vacant City-owned building aims to address this identified gap by providing a safe place for people in crisis who are sleeping rough in Fremantle. Using a strong partnership approach, the service would provide short-term overnight accommodation for people experiencing homelessness, while connecting them with longer-term housing, healthcare and support services.

Council has resolved to develop the proposal and undertake a process of public engagement. The community feedback process will help inform St Pat's in the development of a service model and operational arrangement to accompany the proposal. Further consultation with the community will occur during the development application and planning stages.

The City is now seeking community feedback to help understand community priorities and identify opportunities and challenges that should be considered as part of detailed planning for the St Pat’s Respite Centre Proposal.

We're asking the community to tell us:

• What opportunities and challenges should Council consider as part of the Parry Street proposal?
• How should the City work with State and Federal Government, St Pat's and other organisations to respond to homelessness?
• What is important to you in creating a safe, inclusive and well-managed outcome for both people experiencing homelessness and the wider community?

How can the community influence the project?

We are asking the public to:

• Read the Frequently Asked Questions and Key Documents below.
• Share your feedback by completing the St Pat's Respite Centre Proposal Survey.

How can you meet with City Officers to discuss the proposal and your feedback?

• Attend a drop-in session to speak with City of Fremantle and St Pat's representatives, ask questions and better understand the proposal. Drop-in sessions are informal and allow community members to come and go throughout the advertised times. Visit the How We Engage page for more information. Dates and times are available in the Key Dates section of this page.
• Book a 1:1 or group meeting with City officers by emailing communityengagement@fremantle.wa.gov.au(External link). Please note, staff meetings are subject to staff availability and scheduling.
• City officers will also undertake a process of targeted engagement with local residents and businesses in the project area who may be affected by the Respite Centre Proposal.

City officers aim to:

• Provide clear, balanced and factual information about the respite centre proposal and process.
• Understand community views, opportunities, concerns and local knowledge to help inform decision making and management planning.
• Ensure a respectful and inclusive engagement process that encourages participation from residents, businesses, people with lived experience, service providers and the broader community.
• Keep the community informed throughout the project and explain how community feedback has been considered as part of future decision-making.

How can you make your submission?

Submissions can be made online via the survey below, or by:

By Mail
PO Box 807
Fremantle WA 6959

In Person
Walyalup Civic Centre
151 High Street
Fremantle WA 6160

By Email
communityengagement@fremantle.wa.gov.au

Online
Via the submission form below.

Hard copies of the survey are available on request by contacting the Community Engagement team at communityengagement@fremantle.wa.gov.au.

Submissions close on Wednesday 16 September 2026, 5.00pm AWST.