The City's response to ABC Radio Perth about the lease for Naval Base Shack 229 not being renewed, 26.11.25
Questions:
- The owner said the council won't allow them to sell the shack or transfer it to another persons name... they must either voluntarily hand it in in 60 days or the council will have it demolished. Is that correct?
- The owner says they never received an email with a lease attached. Is that correct?
- Did the council itself, or any hired contractors, kick the door of the shack in and erect a fence around it?
- The owner said they haven't received any breach notices or prior complaints. is that correct?
- Is there anything that can be done to save the shack?
Response:
The City has spent 15 months trying to communicate with Mr Alabisi (the former shack leaseholder) so he could renew the lease for Shack 229, which expired on 31 August 2022.
The City has also been in contact with Mr Alabisi on numerous occasions to request he renew his public liability insurance which expired on 21 March 2025.
After being unable to successfully contact Mr Alabisi to progress the lease renewal or public liability insurance renewal, the shack lease became null and void.
As a result, in July 2025 the City via its lawyers issued a 60-day notice for vacant possession of the shack.
This notice states a former leaseholder must remove the shack or it will be demolished. As Mr Alabisi did not give up vacant possession or remove the shack before the 10 October deadline, the City began taking steps to have it removed.
The City’s contractor recently entered the vacant property to complete asbestos testing to help establish parameters for the shack’s removal. They also installed safety fencing around the shack.
The City has genuinely attempted to work with Mr Alabisi over a long period.
In providing Mr Alabisi many opportunities for a lease extension, our communication included countless largely unanswered emails, letters and phone calls.
Our officers also offered to meet face to face to resolve the lease issues.
Unfortunately at times, Mr Alabisi’s communications towards City staff have been abusive and offensive.
As a result, in July 2025 the City handed responsibility for communication with Mr Alabisi to our lawyers to ensure staff safety and a fair a consistent approach for all shack leaseholders, in accordance with lease conditions.
If a lease is terminated a shack owner is required to remove the shack from the site as required under the lease conditions. If a shack owner does not remove their shack the City will use the demolition levy to demolish the shack and make good the land.
For more information on the Naval Base Shacks visit the City's
website.