CBD injecting room: Andrews government no closer to releasing report

The state government won’t commit to releasing a long-awaited report into the CBD drug injecting room this year, despite receiving the recommendations in June.

The Andrews government won’t commit to releasing a long-awaited report into a CBD drug injecting room this year, despite receiving the recommendations more than three months ago.

Former top cop Ken Lay provided his report – which was meant to be finalised at the end of 2020 but was pushed back due to changing drug behaviour throughout the pandemic – to the government in June.

On Wednesday, Mental Health Minister Gabrielle Williams, who oversees safe injecting facilities, refused to say whether the report will be released by the end of this year.

“I won’t speculate on time frames at the moment,” she said.

“We are still continuing to work through that report and to work through what’s required of us to meet the recommendations of Ken’s report.

Ms Williams refused to say whether the report will be released by the end of this year. Picture: Wayne Taylor

“I want to make sure first and foremost that we don’t rush this purely for the reason of meeting a headline, but that we get it right so that we can ensure that we are delivering something that truly meets the need that has been identified.

“I’m keen to take the time that’s necessary to do that.”

Mr Lay was tasked with writing the report amid concerns the area has a high proportion of heroin overdoses, but traders have railed against the facility being placed near them.

The government is considering several sites for a second medically-supervised centre, including at the Salvation Army headquarters on Bourke St – across the road from some of Melbourne’s most famous restaurants.

That site has prompted fierce backlash from local businesses and eateries, warning a facility would destroy the local area.

The new CBD safe injecting room site might be the Salvation Army HQ in Bourke Street. Picture: Wayne Taylor

In a letter to the Andrews government in July, traders from institutions such as Grossi Florentino, Becco, Di Stasio and Pellegrinis say Melbourne is fighting to revitalise after a tough few years and the “the future of our city is at risk if this injecting room proceeds”.

Ms Williams said Mr Lay’s report is “really comprehensive” and the government needed to take time to ensure such a facility could serve its intended purpose.

“Of course we know the very reason that our media and the community are so interested in this is because it is a really complex issue that brings with it lots of different considerations, lots of different opinions, sometimes competing agendas and interests, and we’ve got to do this right,” she said.

“It needs to be about changing lives and saving lives and that’s what we are focused on.”