Glen Rd rehab facility approved by the Land and Environment Court

A long running community dispute over a drug and alcohol rehab centre has been settled by the Land and Environment Court. Here’s what they said.

The drug and alcohol facility at Glen Rd Ourimbah will go ahead.

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A contentious drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility in Ourimbah has been approved by the Land and Environment Court.

The court overturned Central Coast Council’s decision to refuse the 14-bed facility at 74 Glen Rd yesterday.

The council refused the development application for Wishing Well Rehab, lodged by Dr Sujatha Kalava and Dr Shashi Kalava, last November due to concerns around the proposed sewer system, bushfires and impacts on nearby properties and the environment.

Aerial view of the proposed drug and alcohol rehab centre at Glen Rd, Ourimbah

The application sparked a lot of backlash from the local community who said it is out of character with the area, would impact privacy and pose safety issues for patients as well as the local community.

Dr Bernie Bourke, who has lived on Glen Rd for the 35 years, has been vocal about the impact on the area and questioned the effectiveness of these types of facilities.

He told the Express yesterday’s decision “should be vigorously contested by residents who will be adversely affected”.

“This is destroying the environment of those residents,” he said.

“A simple example is the lady who told me she will no longer be able to walk her dog along the road as she will be too scared.”

Vascular Surgeons Dr Bernie Bourke and his son Dr Victor Bourke have vocally opposed the facility. Picture: Sue Graham

The Land and Environment Court held a conciliation conference in April between Dr Sujatha Kalava and council where, according to Commissioner Sarah Bish, “the parties reached agreement as to the terms of a decision”.

The Court also stated that both parties “were satisfied based on the social impact assessment”.

The court issued conditions of approval including providing access to bushfire services to the rear of the site, along with changes to the stormwater plan.

Dr Bourke said it was clear the court and the council had ignored the social impact on the 200 residents who wrote submissions against the proposal.

“So the way of life of the residents of Glen Road is to be destroyed by a private “for profit” unregulated exercise which has no standards, which cannot be investigated by the public and for which there is no mechanism to measure public good,” he said.

Artists impression of the facility from the roadside.

“This is open to legal challenge for reasons on a far deeper level than whether a “drain pipe” satisfies regulations.”

Last year, Dr Shashi Kalava told the Express Wishing Well Rehab would “create positive social impact for the community and importantly for those people and families who are seeking to overcome addiction”.

The Kalavas say Glen Rd is the ideal location, due to the privacy and ability to provide a “pleasant, serene and tranquil atmosphere, yet within close distance to transport and public amenities”.

“Maintaining and providing a peaceful and serene environment is a vital part of therapy at our facility,” Dr Kalava said.