The Town of Bassendean has been blindsided after the historic 1934 Bassendean Fire Station on Parker Street was listed for expressions of interest by Knight Frank Real Estate on behalf of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, interrupting council’s year-long push to acquire the vacant site for community use.
A piece of local heritage is officially up for grabs, but the local government tasked with representing the surrounding community found out about the sale only very recently. The property at 10 to 14 Parker Street spans three adjoining lots totaling 1,479 square meters in the heart of the Bassendean town centre, situated about 150 meters from the local train station.
Commercial Potential Versus Community Ambitions at Parker Street
The site carries a Residential R60 zoning designation and includes the original heritage-listed 1934 fire station building alongside a 1970s addition that also holds heritage protection. Real estate agent Tony Delich described the offering as exceptionally rare
, pointing out that the zoning supports boutique mixed-use, community spaces, offices, or a townhouse development capable of accommodating six or seven dwellings.
In February 2025, Mayor Kathryn Hamilton moved a unanimous motion requesting the state government to gift or sell the fire station for a nominal fee so it could be transformed into a functional community hub. The site has remained vacant and disused since 2013, suffering from visible cracks, water damage, and mould. For twelve months, the town engaged with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to evaluate contamination levels and potential remediation costs, only to discover the property had been thrown open to the open market without warning.
Sharp Rebuke Over the State Disposal Process
Local officials did not mince words regarding the lack of consultation. A Town of Bassendean spokesperson argued that the current public disposal process does not adequately account for the site’s broader strategic considerations, specifically highlighting the urgent need to facilitate active development rather than land banking while supporting transit-oriented growth objectives.
Gerry Coleman, a longtime resident and heritage advocate, voiced deep frustration over the sudden change in direction.
Coleman added that the station has been there for such a long time and it’s part of our community,
expressing genuine fear that a private buyer might repurpose the landmark exclusively for commercial ends rather than restoring it to its former glory.
State Justification and the Search for Market Value Returns
Defending the decision to list the property, a spokesperson for the Department of Fire and Emergency Services explained that all parties interested in the old Bassendean fire station site had been advised of the agency’s statutory obligations under state law. Under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998, the department carries a legal responsibility to realize a market value return from any property disposal.
Surplus funds from the sale of the Bassendean site will be allocated to other capital works projects to enhance community safety in WA
Department of Fire and Emergency Services spokesperson, via PerthNow
The town wanted a community asset; the state required a balance sheet return.
Next Deadlines and Potential Town Counters
Despite the initial surprise and disappointment, municipal leaders are shifting from grievance to strategy. Mayor Hamilton acknowledged that while council remains hopeful of exploring alternative pathways that enable a stronger community outcome, we are encouraged that the State Government has begun taking steps toward the site’s future redevelopment.
The expressions of interest campaign managed by Knight Frank closes on October 7. In the interim, the Town of Bassendean confirmed it is actively considering whether to bypass the open market dispute entirely and submit its own formal market offer for the Parker Street property before the deadline expires.
