Dubbo Regional Council: Council wants to Western Local Health District to assess rehab sites

A council in the state’s west have criticised NSW Health over the construction of the future drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre. See what it means for neighbours.

A regional council has called out the local health district for the lack of “transparency” of the future construction of a rehabilitation centre in the state’s west.

On Thursday, Dubbo Council greenlit a plan to see chief executive Murray Wood “take all necessary steps” to facilitate the Western NSW Local Health District (LHD) and NSW Health in assessing land for the development of the drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre.

The Western NSW Local Health District announced the facility would be built on a four-hectare site in Spears Dr, in a residential area of West Dubbo.

Residents living near the proposed centre have established the Rosewood Grove Action Group to “fight the controversial” location of the facility, saying they will proceed to take legal action against the state government in the Land and Environment Court of NSW.

In Thursday night’s council meeting, councillors unanimously voted for more “transparency” when it comes to deciding what land is suitable for the rehab facility and what is not.

Councillor Joshua Black said the council should be allowing an assessment of North Bunglegumbie Rd and Green Grove by the Western LHD, to decide whether the land is suitable.

“It’s not up to us to decide if a block is suitable or not - it’s completely up to them - they’ll be paying for it,” he told council’s chamber.

The two parcels of land have been deemed inadequate because of the lack of water, sewage and land access by council, however they agreed to let the LHD make the final decision and tell the public.

Resident Rebecca Davey told council that the report is “completely one sided” with “every assumption seen to be made against the [North Bunglegumbie] site.

Rosewood Grove Action Group committee member Rebecca Davey in Spears Dr, Dubbo.

“We are not convinced by this and simply want council to make the land available for assessment so the minister can make the decision ultimately on what is the suitable site,” Ms Davey said.

“Please make the decision tonight to allow the state to properly assess the land at North Bunglegumbie and possibly save our community from an inappropriate development that I know none of you would want to live next door to.”

The decision comes as council officers told councillors “the site specifications of Western NSW LHD and the constraints expressed by the NSW Minister for Health” meant council did not have a “suitable site option within its property portfolio” for the rehab centre.