Port Stephens Council rejects proposal for Connect Global rehabilitation facility at Swan Bay

A controversial but prestigious drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility – whose clientele has included fallen TV star Andrew O’Keefe – could be in jeopardy of being shut down. Read the details.

The facility is know as ‘Fisherman’s Village’ which houses convicted criminal for drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

A controversial but prestigious drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility – whose clientele has included fallen channel seven TV star Andrew O’Keefe – could be in jeopardy of being shut down and possibly relocated following a rejection by local council to continue its operation.

The Connect Global facility has been operating the community outreach program for men for about 10 years at the tourist facility known as ‘Fisherman’s Village’ in Port Stephens in the NSW Hunter region.

But recently residents have become increasingly anxious about the mixing of convicted criminals and tourists staying in accommodation at the Swan Bay site, citing safety concerns, anti-social behaviour, as well as fear and unease.

Andrew O’Keefe former Channel 7 TV star was once housed at the Swan Bay rehab facility.

The rehab facility at Swan Bay. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

Connect Global had lodged a development applicant to change the use of the facility at Old Punt Rd from tourist facility to a transitional group home which would see 29 cabins used for clients and the remaining 10 for tourist accommodation.

The proposal, which has garnered “community outrage”, was slapped with 75 objections which then prompted a majority of Port Stephens councillors to reject the application at their recent council meeting.

“I understand that this is an emotive issue for many people, but I am confident that working with other levels of Government, we will be able to find a suitable site for this facility so that their work can continue,” Port Stephens Deputy Mayor Giacomo Arnott said after voting down the proposal.

“I am a big believer in rehabilitation and think everyone should be given the chance to improve and reform. There are limits on what a Councillor is able to consider when making a decision on a Development Application.”

An independent review of the facility found that while it would benefit the mental health and wellbeing of participants taking part in the program, and provide and vital service, the social impacts on tourists residing there would be significant and it would be “unlikely that these dual uses could exist in harmony”.

A local resident told The Newcastle News there were big concerns about the facility, whilst a family member of a former resident said the place wasn’t what it seemed from the outside.

But Connect Global have vehemently denied there are any problems at the facility, with chief executive officer Ross Pene saying they were disappointed with the decision by council.

The Swan Bay facility which is in doubt after a DA was rejected by Port Stephens council. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

“We have been operating an important community facility out here at Swan Bay for the last 10 years that has reformed the life of many men,” he said.

“It has turned them away from a life of crime, drugs and alcohol. We have saved the lives of family’s sons, husbands and fathers. We have turned these men into contributing members of society.

“We were introduced to the site on the basis that it was essentially an abandoned tourist resort, so this was a change of use of the facility.”

It’s prompted an immediate appeal to the NSW Land and Environment Court.

“We’ll get this thing over the line, we’re not going anywhere, there are plenty of other properties we can accommodate ourselves in if need be,” Mr Pene said.

“It could take six months, we’re not worried about it.”

Part of the Swan Bay men’s facility. Picture by Peter Lorimer.

Port Stephens councillor Steve Tucker, who was one of two councillors who voted for the proposal, said there had been a whole lot of misinformation and scare tactics within the community.

“Global Connect has an excellent reputation and success rate. It is disappointing to see that it faces closure due to a legal technicality,” he said.

“Since the majority of councillors presented at the meeting indicated they were against the development application from Connect Global, I wanted to defer the matter for further consideration.

“This would give councillors more time to discuss the matter or alternatively, time to organise mediation, purchase of the remaining units or simply have time to organise an orderly move to a new site – if one could be found.”

Previous owners Michelle and Lloyd Moffat also wrote to councillors prior to their decision pleading for their approval of the development proposal, citing the property was well maintained, highly organised, structured and disciplined.

The independent social impact assessment highlighted the proposal would have beneficial social impacts for participants to “return to a productive life” but maintained changes needed to be made to avoid land-use conflict and division between residents and clients.

“The site could potentially be considered suitable, if the proposed change of use to a transitional group home was to encompass the entire tourist facility and was properly managed through detailed actions,” a planner said.

“Due to the intermixed nature of tourist sites throughout the group home cabins and shared use of communal facilities it is unlikely that these dual uses could exist in harmony.

“This is further exacerbated by the transient nature of tourists, who may visit the site, unaware that it is shared with a transitional group home facility, as expressed in a large number of the public submissions received.”

It noted Connect Global did not include “sufficient management controls” in their application to ensure the safety of both parties.