Spears Drive, Dubbo: Stage two of a rehab centre plans lodged to council

Plans for a rehabilitation centre aimed at addressing the “most misused drug” in Dubbo have been revealed. Here’s what’s planned.

Artist impression of the rehab centre. Picture: Dubbo Regional Council

A region where alcohol is deemed the “most misused drug” is set to have a rehabilitation centre to help residents struggling with addiction.

Western NSW Local Health District has lodged plans to the Dubbo Regional Council to build a centre at 58 Spears Dr, Dubbo.

A planning report reveals details for a rehabilitation centre for adults to stay for three months in order to provide a “safe and supportive environment”.

The construction is set to be done in stages, with stage one already approved by the council to build two wings; the southern communal and support wing, and the northern residential wing.

The southern wing includes a lobby, waiting room, interview room, group activity room, meeting room, consult room, storage rooms, lounge, dining room and kitchen.

Entire design layout of the rehab centre. Picture: Dubbo Regional Council

The northern residential wing will house up to 16 people at a time and will have eight one-bedroom suites, four two-bedroom suites, two lounges, a 24 hour staffroom, four bathrooms, laundry and linen store, office, storage room and staff toilets and showers.

Stage one will also construct an ancillary building which will be used as a multi-purpose shed for art and other activities.

The rehab site is located close to the local TAFE and juvenile centre. Picture: Dubbo Regional Council

Stage two is the construction of the western wing to accommodate an additional eight people at one time.

This will see an additional four one-bedrooms suites, two more two-bedroom suites, laundry extension, small lounge, mechanical units and a seating nook.

There’s also plans for some landscaping work to be done as part of the stage two construction.

While Western NSW Local Health District is constructing the centre, the report states it will be run by a third party which is yet to be determined.

The report states the main goal of the centre is to “reduce alcohol and other drug use related harm by delivering client-centred, high quality and safe residential withdrawal management”.

Artist impression of the rehab centre. Picture: Dubbo Regional Council

“Residents will be supported with medical treatment, taking part in programs and activities to improve their health and wellbeing and interaction with the community,” it states.

The council’s 2018 business case found that “alcohol is the most misused drug in Dubbo”.

Drugs such as methamphetamine and heroin were also raised as concerns, with the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) highlighting the region with “disproportionately high levels of crime”.

Stage two of the rehabilitation centre is currently out on public exhibition until June 10.