Council Rejects Bid to Transform Applecross Church into Memorial Garden
A bold proposal to purchase a former Anglican church in Applecross and transform it into a memorial garden has been decisively rejected by the City of Melville council. The plan, championed by Applecross-Mt Pleasant ward councillor Clive Ross, was defeated by a vote of 7-4 at the council meeting on March 17, effectively scuppering the local government's potential acquisition of the property.
Ambitious Vision for Heritage Site
The 1,012 square metre property, located on Kintail Road directly opposite Applecross Primary School, was put up for sale last month. In his pitch to the council, Cr Ross drew comparisons to iconic global landmarks such as the Taj Mahal, the Giza pyramids, and the homes of historical figures like Paul Revere and the Bronte sisters. He argued that these sites share a common thread as memorials to loved ones, and the church presented a similar opportunity for the Melville community.
"Today we have the opportunity to establish a memorial garden for loved ones in the City of Melville," Cr Ross stated. "This is for the everyday hero, the mums and dads, daughters and sons, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives and partners who make up our community here in Melville." He emphasized that the project could redefine the city's legacy, moving beyond what he described as "the debacle at Canning Bridge," and offered to personally buy two plaques to kickstart the initiative.
Financial and Policy Concerns Lead to Rejection
Despite the passionate advocacy, the proposal faced significant opposition. Cr Crawford Yorke highlighted the estimated purchase price of $3 to $4 million, equating it to a 3 to 4 per cent rates increase, and expressed strong reservations. "I did not know where to begin in opposing it," he remarked, pointing to a recent council decision that rejected private memorials on public land due to concerns about saturation.
Cr Yorke also noted the availability of a State-run cemetery within the city, suggesting it already serves memorial purposes. He raised broader issues about spending disparities, commenting, "People even refer to me we should be called the city of Applecross, not City of Melville," hinting at perceived favouritism towards areas north of Leach Highway.
Support for Alternative Funding Model
In contrast, Cr Glynis Barber voiced support for the idea, particularly the concept of selling memorial plaques to fund the building's preservation. "I'm actually getting a little bit despondent that our modus operandi is to demolish any buildings that are getting old because we think 'no, they're too hard to fix so let's demolish them,'" she said. "If this memorial plaque idea can help pay for this little heritage church and some of our City of Melville history, then I think this is a really good idea."
Heritage Status and Future Plans
The site, while not listed on the State Heritage Register, is included in the city's local heritage survey and is zoned residential. Following the council's rejection, Cr Ross has announced plans to pursue community-driven efforts to acquire the property. He intends to register a community association to raise funds by pre-selling memorial plaques, with payments held in a solicitor's trust account to ensure refunds if a financial threshold is not met.
The property remains on the market, with its sales pitch highlighting its prime location, excellent access to the Ardross Street entertainment precinct, Swan River, and Canning Highway, and rarity as a large, prominent site in the tightly held Applecross area. The outcome underscores ongoing debates within the City of Melville over heritage preservation, public spending priorities, and the appropriate use of communal spaces for memorialisation.
