City of Melbourne reaffirms support for second safe injecting room

A number of councillors reaffirmed their support for a CBD injecting room after dismissing a motion calling for the “urgent” release of a highly-anticipated report.

The City of Melbourne has shot down a motion calling for the “urgent” release of a report into safe injecting rooms by former top cop Ken Lay and instead councillors have controversially moved to show their support for a second facility to be set up in the CBD.

A motion put forward by councillor Roshena Campbell at the Future Melbourne Committee meeting on Tuesday night was pushing for Mr Lay’s report to be seen as soon as possible, which would likely reveal the potential sites the state government is considering for the controversial city injecting room.

It also called for an independent review on the impacts of the Richmond facility on residents and local businesses.

However, the motion was voted down six to three and replaced by a watered-down proposal by Greens councillor Dr Olivia Ball to “reaffirm” the city’s support for an injecting room within the CBD.

Cr Ball’s motion endorsed the council’s continued support of an injecting room service in the CBD, on the basis that it was located within a comprehensive health service.

A safe injecting room may be coming to Flinders Street. Picture: Mark Stewart

The motion also requested a copy of Ken Lay’s report once completed and requested that management provide a report to council on how to “best respond to the report”.

Cr Campbell said she could “not support” the alternative motion as it affirmed support for a second injecting room.

“We’ve heard extensively from Cr Ball tonight about the findings of the government’s independent panel, stating there was no impact to the amenity in North Richmond.

“Here’s what the report also said – there were more heroin-related deaths within 1km of the North Richmond injecting room the 12-month after it opened compared to the 12-month period prior,” she said.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said she was on “the record” on this issue and remained supportive of the council’s alternative motion.

“I note and respect the debate tonight, it really captures the sensitivity and also the breadth of views … and since our debate in 2021, there has been no new information from the Victorian government apart from the fact that it will release a final report in early 2023,” she said.

Ms Capp told 3AW on Wednesday that she didn’t think Flinders St was an ideal place for a safe injecting room. 

“I think a place that really maximises the health outcome but minimises the impact on residents, traders, workers and visitors is the best place,” she said.

“I know we will be very active advocates for our local community while balancing those health outcomes, we’ve had very strong feedback from traders, particularly in that area, about their concerns of having a safe injecting room there.” 

Traders Theo Roussos, Johnny Sandish and Tony Doherty are anxious about the prospect of a injecting room on their doorstop. Picture: Jason Edwards

Ms Capp said she wouldn’t be putting forward an alternative option.

“We have reaffirmed our position that safe injecting rooms safe lives, we accept the advice from experts that the City of Melbourne is a place that could benefit from a safe injecting room,” she said. 

It’s understood Ms Capp doesn’t have the power to “block” the state government’s decision. 

The alternative motion also failed to seek clarification on how much compensation CBD ratepayers and property owners impacted by a second injecting room would receive, which was originally put forward by Cr Campbell.

Opposition mental health spokeswoman Emma Kealy said: “Labor has been briefing politically aligned councillors but keeping this vital information secret from businesses and residents of Melbourne’s CBD.”

The Herald Sun revealed earlier this year that Mr Lay’s report – initially due to be finalised in 2020 – would not be handed down until late-2022, leading to more uncertainty.

And the state government last week said the report was unlikely to be released before November’s election.

The government has blamed the pandemic for the delays, saying restrictions had inhibited consultation. But it still bought the former Yooralla facility at 244 Flinders St early last year, with a view to using that site.

Originally published as City of Melbourne reaffirms support for second safe injecting room