Tumbi Umbi: Group home for drug and alcohol rehabilitation lodged for 30 Bakali Rd
A DA for a men’s group home for drug and alcohol rehabilitation has been lodged on Bakali Rd in Tumbi Umbi.
Central Coast
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A Tumbi Umbi retirement village group are making their voices heard against a proposed transitional home.
Plans have been lodged with Central Coast Council for a group home for drug and alcohol rehabilitation and associated fencing at 30 Bakali Rd, Tumbi Umbi.
The applicant Abbas a single dwelling into a home for up to eight male resident and an on-site manager.
The plan has ruffled feathers in the community with the Forresters Beach Retirement Village Residents Committee speaking out against the proposal and encouraging people to lodge objections.
“This is not a suitable community in which to place a halfway house for former criminals and drug addicts,” committee chairman Doug Roser said.
“We believe that such as establishment poses serious risks to the elderly and vulnerable in our community. We are also concerned about the close proximity to two child care centres, a high school and a primary school as well as numerous families with young children who ride bikes and play in the immediate area.”
The applicant states that the group home would have a “positive social impact” in the community. Programs to be run at the site would include psychologist sessions, Salvation Army counselling, Mission Australia services, and Alcoholic Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous sessions.
“It provides a safe and valuable context for the rehabilitation of some of society’s most vulnerable people, including young adults,” the development application report states.
“It ought to be mentioned that people with alcohol and drug dependency have often grown up in households with parents/carers with substance dependencies.
“In addition, they may have suffered incidents of psychological, physical or sexual abuse, and could and be suffering resultant trauma and metal health issues.
“For this reason, there is considered to be a need for permanent on-site management, care and compassion.
“The home and site will be a drug and alcohol-free zone. We consider this transitional group homes to be part of a compassionate response to some of society’s most vulnerable people.”
There is no construction work required with the DA valued at $10,000, however the applicant is proposing a 1.8m Colorbond fence around the property, which also has a tennis court and swimming pool.
The report also indicates that neighbouring houses would be 80 – 170m from the group home.