Newly elected councillors flag support for injecting room

Debate over the location of Melbourne’s second safe-injecting room is set to heat up, with several freshly minted councillors backing the controversial plan.

The proposed site of the new injecting room has drawn the support of some new councillors. Picture: Ian Currie

Debate over a proposed safe injecting room near Queen Victoria Market is likely to heat up in the new Melbourne City Council.

A number of newly-elected councillors say they will back the controversial site if it is recommended under a special review being done by former top cop Ken Lay.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said she remained opposed to the state government’s preferred Drill Hall location in Victoria Street, but would wait for Mr Lay’s decision before considering “next steps”.

Market traders and many local residents fear that an injecting room on their doorstep will encourage drug dealing and harm amenity in the area.

The Lay review has spoken to key stakeholders including traders and Drill Hall residents, but so far it is not considering any alternative sites.

Councillor-elect Davydd Griffiths, from the endorsed ALP team, said he stood by the party’s election policy to support the Drill Hall site.

“There’s a real need for safe injecting rooms in the city, I’m happy to work cooperatively to make sure they’re located in the best places,” he said.

“If (the Lay process) arrives at other good sites I’m willing to consider those.”

Independent councillor-elect Jamal Hakim gave qualified backing for the Drill Hall site provided there was extensive consultation.

“If the review done in consultation with the community came up with that, I would support that,” he said.

New Greens councillor Dr Olivia Ball said the government hadn’t been forthcoming with data and rationale for possible locations.

“So there needs to be a mature discussion between the state, council and public about the shortlist … we’ll be guided by the recommendations of the independent review underway,” she said.

Jason Chang, elected from Team Arron Wood, said he would support an injecting room near medical facilities like a hospital, but not near the market.

Asked if she would try to block the Drill Hall site as the City of Melbourne owned the building, Ms Capp said she would wait for the Lay review outcomes and then look at next steps.

“We will continue to work with Ken Lay and that process – that is the best way that we can get a good outcome,” she said.

A government spokeswoman welcomed the council’s support for Mr Lay’s review, saying that in coming weeks he would start a broader community consultation.

“The site at 53 Victoria Street remains the government’s preferred option, but … we are open to examining other sites should they be put forward by the City of Melbourne,” she said.

The first part of the consultation process involved 95 stakeholders including market traders and Drill Hall residents.

Melbourne’s only other injecting room is in North Richmond.

MORE NEWS

MARKET TRADERS FEAR NEW INJECTING ROOM ALREADY A DONE DEAL

NEW PLAN TO EASE TENSIONS OVER SAFE INJECTING ROOM

OPINION: PUTTING A HEROIN HONEY POT NEXT TO A SCHOOL WAS LUNACY