Dubbo Regional Council has agreed to fight proposed location of rehab centre

A council in the state’s west has agreed to fight the proposed location of a planned drug rehabilitation centre. Find out why residents objected to the proposal.

Dubbo residents attended a public forum to discuss the location of the proposed rehabilitation centre on Spears Drive announced late February.

United residents have lobbied a central west council to hold the health district accountable for choosing a residential area for a local rehabilitation centre.

In last week’s meeting, Dubbo Regional Council unanimously voted to raise objections to the proposed location and committed to work with relevant departments to identify a more suitable location.

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.

A Dubbo resident who worked as a dance therapist in a London hospital, Karina McLachlain, is concerned about the proximity of rehabilitation patients to temptation and the community.

Dubbo resident Karina McLachlain

“We need to keep the temptation away - the best possible place for the centre to be is in a rural area,” Ms McLachlain said.

She added that there are already alleged “drug houses” on the street which would create easier opportunities for patients to relapse.

Spears Dr resident Rebecca Miller told the council there was “community outrage” with the lack of consultation and response from council about the proposed location.

“The residents are extremely concerned about the rise in crime that [the rehab centre] will bring,” Ms Miller said.

“They need to be out of town where they have room for expansion if need be.”

Councillor Joshua Black raised concerns over the proposed location of the rehab facility and suggested that “there has to be a better location”.

“The health minister probably really needs to hear that council is not happy with the decision,” Mr Black said.

Wanting to unite the community and council, councillor Pam Wells expressed her “disappointment” with the selected location and said it has been “quite distressing” for residents who live near the proposed site.

Councillor Pam Wells. Picture: Ryan Young

“It’s also going to be distressing for the people who use the service - people need to heal, and that’s quite a long and challenging journey for individuals,” she said.

“We know that the percentage [success] rate of people who come out of those rehabilitation centres is really low.

“It’s absolutely necessary, and we need to help the local health district change their mind about the location.”

A NSW Western Local Health District spokesperson said the Spears Dr location remained the preferred site for the District.

“WNSWLHD will conduct a thorough, comprehensive community consultation process to hear and understand all community feedback,” the spokesperson said.

“Dubbo Regional Council originally proposed this facility in 2018 and, at that time, committed to providing the land to enable it to be built.

“Responsibility for constructing the facility, along with associated funding, was transferred to WNSWLHD in 2022 related to the site - where possible, the District will work to mitigate those concerns.