ROW GROWS ON DRUG HOSTEL

PLANNING Minister Graham Kierath has indicated that the people of Northam
are out of step with the community over their opposition to a heroin
rehabilitation hostel in the centre of town.

Mr Kierath defended his decision to overturn Northam Town Council's
rejection of Dr George O'Neil's proposed naltrexone hostel, accusing the
council of basing its decision on emotion rather than planning considerations.

But council chief executive Don Burnett said yesterday Mr Kierath's
decision raised the question of why local councils existed.

He said it was quite proper for the council to reject the proposal based on
overwhelming community opposition. Mr Kierath could have done the same, but
chose not to.

Mr Burnett said that if the Government was serious about the naltrexone
program it would make sure it was properly resourced to minimise problems.

His concerns were echoed by National Party Avon MLA Max Trenorden, who
urged Premier Richard Court to give Government money to the project. "My
concern still is that George O'Neil does not have two bob to rub together
and will run a mickey mouse operation in Northam," he said.

Mr Court repeated his support for Dr O'Neil's work but refused to commit
hostel funding.

Mr Kierath said he had no choice but to approve the proposed use of the old
Northam hospital nurses"quarters as a hostel because it was well within
planning rules.

"I think people have got it out of kilter," he said. "I have to do
everything I can to help those people beat those addictions. I am sure that
in time the fear will be found to be unfounded and . . . in time the
community will actually warm to this project."

But Jenny Lowe, who lives 150m from the quarters which will house 18
addicts and 18 carers from March, said: "There will probably be more crime
because it will bring unsavoury characters into town."

She was unaware of the plan when she bought her house 10 months ago.

Labor planning spokeswoman Alannah MacTiernan said it was rubbish for Mr
Kierath to suggest he was prevented by law from upholding the council's
decision and the issue highlighted the need for appeals of council
decisions to be handled by the independent Town Planning Appeals Tribunal.

Subiaco Town Council development services director Geoff Glass said there
had been only a handful of complaints over Dr O'Neil's Subiaco clinic in
the past six months. A public meeting called by the council to discuss the
concerns of some nearby businesses was attended by about 30 people, half of
them supporters of the clinic.

Democrats MLC Norm Kelly backed Mr Kierath's decision, saying his
conditions, including a community monitoring committee, should address any
concerns.