Plans lodged for community care centre and short term accommodation at Burnett Heads

If approved, the facility will allow for activities such as utilisation of farm animals in therapy, boomerang making and bushwalks focusing on the identification of native flora and its applications.

A development application has been submitted on behalf of Oceanview Psychology and Support Services for a new community care centre and short-term accommodation.

A new community centre and short-term accommodation facility could be built near Burnett Heads, should a development application get the go-ahead from Bundaberg Region Council.

A material change of use application was recently lodged with council by Burnett Country Certifiers on behalf of Oceanview Psychology and Support Services.

The organisation engages qualified psychologists, occupational therapists, clinical nurses, indigenous advisers and allied health assistants to deliver ‘combination therapy’ including group programs and activities.

The proposed facility will include a covered shelter with a kitchen pod.

The proposal document says Oceanview PSS is seeking to establish a community care centre (integrated Indigenous support centre) and short-term accommodation at 85 Moores Rd.

“The site allows for rural activities including the utilisation of farm animals in therapy, boomerang making, bushwalks focusing on the identification of flora and its applications,” the document says.

“Life skills such as training in a commercial kitchen and café are also proposed.”

As well as an existing onsite managers dwelling, the proposed facility would include structures such as an Indigenous cultural arena, two and three bedroom cabins, a covered shelter with a kitchen pod and consultation rooms.

The site will include a number of structures including two and three bedroom cabins.

“Oceanview PSS estimate 20 per cent of clients will access the short term accommodation facilities for a range of reasons including heightened behaviours, carer burnout and in some cases domestic violence,” the application says.

“Short-term accommodation will also be used by ‘remote inland participants’ to enable participation in on site activities and in the Burnett Heads community including during turtle season.

“Short-term accommodation on site enables immediate access to psychological intervention and other supports.”

The application says the accommodation structures will be removable and no permanent residential accommodation was proposed.