Dubbo: Proposed rehab centre location sparks anger in residents
Dubbo residents are being told to “change the government” in the upcoming state election if they want to see change in the controversial rehabilitation centre location. See the latest.
Dubbo News
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With less than two weeks to go before the state election, Dubbo residents are being told to be “considerate” of their votes and “change the government” if they want to change the location of the rehabilitation centre.
Dubbo councillor and Labor candidate Joshua Black, councillors Pam Wells and Vicki Etheridge, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Kate Richardson and Labor Upper House candidate Stephen Lawrence held a public discussion over the outcry of the location of the rehab centre on Spears Drive in West Dubbo.
NSW Health revealed they had agreed to purchase land of the proposed site, but only told residents in the area the day after the announcement in late February.
The Dubbo News understands the four-hectare site is proposed to feature 16 beds and include a detoxification unit.
More than 120 people attended the public forum on Sunday evening expressing their concerns over the centre in a residential area while raising questions of declining property values, increased crime rate and lack of privacy in the area.
Former mayor and Labor Upper House candidate Stephen Lawrence has been lobbying for a rehabilitation centre in a rural setting outside of Dubbo for a decade.
Mr Lawrence said former member for Dubbo Troy Grant had conducted community consultations to which residents said they are in “strong support of a rehab centre”, but they are opposed for it to be in a residential area.
“The community wanted it in a rural location,” Mr Lawrence said.
“Nobody involved in this has thought that it should be in a residential area.
“I think most people in the community accept that rehab has to happen, and people tangled up in the court and police system need it.”
Mr Black said that people who are attending rehab require privacy to “give them the best chance”.
According to advice from existing service providers, the cost of building the centre would be approximately $5 million along with annual operational costs of around $2.7 million.
In March 2019, the Federal Government committed $3 million to fund the construction of the facility with $7.5 million from the state government to go towards the construction and operation of the centre.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said that a “residential rehabilitation centre can be safe” and provide an appropriate environment to receive therapy and treatment.
“I am advised by the Western NSW Local Health District that there was a comprehensive process undertaken to identify and secure the preferred site,” Mr Saunders said.
“This process allowed the WNSWLHD to ensure that an appropriate location was found to deliver a facility that will address the community‘s needs.”
Mr Saunders announced in a press release in May last year that a list of 40 sites had been considered before selecting the location on Spears Dr.
Residents of Dubbo Regional Council Discussion Group admin Amanda Peppernell said she is “angry” and shares that the Dubbo community “have been left in the dark”.
“There are people like Pam Wells and Stephen Lawrence who have been working so hard, so it is just a kick in the guts - for the community, it is a kick in the guts.
The Dubbo Alcohol and Other Drug Residential Rehabilitation Centre is expected to open in 2024.
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