Government approves Raceview alcohol, drug rehabilitation facility

A proposed 46-bed alcohol and drug residential rehabilitation facility in Ipswich has been approved by the state government despite opposition from the mayor, her council and locals.

The government has approved a new Ipswich drug and alcohol rehabilitastion centre. Picture: ISTOCK/FILE

Ipswich residents have spoken out after the state government greenlit an alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility in Ipswich.

Queensland Health proposed the Ipswich Alcohol and Other Drug Residential Rehabilitation Facility at 47-57 Wildey St in Raceview last year.

The 46-bedfacility was designed for adults who are experiencing problematic substance use to voluntarily engage in treatment and support.

A ministerial infrastructure designation (MID) for the development was approved and gazetted on June 21.

MIDs bypass Council by-laws and greatly restrict the public’s right to take legal action in the planning court.

The site on Wildey St in Raceview. Picture: Google Streetview

The gazatte notice stated that there would be a contract specialist alcohol-and-other-drugs treatment service provider managing the facility.

“The service provider will have staff on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week and a structured program for clients to engage in to meet their treatment goals,” it read.

“Clients will reside on site in self-contained units for the duration of their treatment program.

“Site security measures include 1.8m high fencing along the boundaries, CCTV and a gate and intercom for after-hours access.

“The service provider will have processes in place to manage when clients or visitors enter or leave the centre and to respond to incidents, disturbances, or nuisances if they occur.

“The safety and wellbeing of staff, clients and the community will always be a key priority.”

Following public consultation, the proposal received 50 submissions from the council, Mayor Teresa Harding, a non-government organisation and the community.

Cr Harding said she was disappointed to see the state shoehorning the facility into suburban Raceview.

“From my initial discussions with Queensland Health, it was my understanding that the greatest need for this type of facility existed in Ipswich’s eastern suburbs,” she said.

“However, after pushback from the businesses and residents there, Raceview was the third location Queensland Health considered for this facility.

“It is easy to see why Wildey St was not initially considered as a suitable site.

“It offers very limited transport options for patients travelling from our eastern suburbs and is located less than 500m from a licensed venue.

Ipswich Alcohol and Other Drugs Residential Rehabilitation Facility.

“There is no question that Ipswich needs dedicated alcohol and drug rehabilitation services.

“It was certainly my hope that this facility would be located where the greatest need in our city exists for this type of support.”

Father-of-two Lancer Losefa also said the location was not appropriate due to nearby childcare activities.

“There are four different schools,” he said.

“It’s not a good environment to put that kind of program in.

“That should definitely be more towards an area that’s not as affluent in childcare.

“It wouldn’t be safe because those individuals need specialised care.”

His wife Ula also said it is not a good idea for families.

“That will encourage the youth around here and the young adults that are trying to make it out of this area to be surrounded by more negative stuff,” she said.

“They can use that space for something that can help youth, our children and families around here, something that could benefit us more.”

Local resident Matt Williams said the state should advertise the facility in local licensed venues if it was serious about engagement with affected people.

“We got a lot of people there with addictions,” he said.

“You go to pubs. They’ve obviously got other addictions too, not just alcohol.

“Other places you could advertise are probably in the middle of town in Ipswich Central.”

The MID decision notice stated that Queensland Health looked into 113 properties across 33 suburbs over 18 months.

“A number of sites were deemed unsuitable due to site constraints such as being floodprone, in a remote location and outside budget constraints,” it noted.

“There is no evidence to suggest crime rates or safety issues increase because of an AOD residential treatment facility.

“Effective treatment contributes to reducing substance use and to improving community safety.”