Perth Locals Face NIMBYism Claims Over Social Housing Project

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Perth residents in East Perth are accused of Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) attitudes after opposing the transformation of Fraser Suites, a former luxury hotel, into a mixed social and affordable housing complex. The $100 million state government purchase aims to address the housing crisis, but locals cite concerns over density, parking, and lack of consultation. Critics argue these objections mask resistance to social housing, highlighting tensions between community interests and urgent housing needs.

The Fraser Suites project, announced in June 2025, will convert 236 rooms into social and affordable housing units to alleviate pressure on Western Australia’s 22,000-person social housing waitlist, as reported by 9News. Homelessness advocates, including Kath Snell from Shelter Western Australia (WA), emphasized the crisis’s severity, noting, “People are sleeping in cars, under bridges, staying with family.” The initiative targets vulnerable groups, particularly women over 55 at risk of homelessness, according to Housing Minister John Carey. However, East Perth residents, living near the site, protested the lack of community consultation, arguing the development exacerbates parking shortages and overburdens shared spaces. “We’re not against social housing, but we’ve been blindsided,” one resident told 9News, reflecting sentiments echoed on X by @PerthCitizen, who criticized the government’s “top-down approach.”

The controversy underscores a broader debate over NIMBYism, where local opposition often centers on preserving neighborhood character or property values. Critics argue these concerns can veil resistance to integrating lower-income residents, a sentiment Housing Minister Carey dismissed as out of touch with the crisis’s urgency. “We can’t afford to wait,” he said, noting the government may repurpose more buildings without prior consultation. This stance has fueled frustration, with residents like @EastPerthVoice on X calling for “transparency and fairness” in planning.

While the state government pushes for rapid housing solutions, the Fraser Suites saga reveals a divide between addressing systemic shortages and respecting local concerns. With no guarantee of future consultations, per 9News, tensions may escalate as similar projects emerge. The challenge lies in balancing community input with the pressing need to house Western Australia’s most vulnerable, a task that demands pragmatism over parochialism.