Mind Australia ‘shocked and disappointed’ at Geelong emergency call out data being made public

Emergency services have regularly been called to a controversial Geelong housing facility, raising anger from the operating organisation and concern among residents who live near another site planned for Torquay.

Opponents to Haven Torquay at the site. Picture: Alison Wynd.

Emergency services have attended a mental health facility in Geelong more than once a week on average, raising concern among some residents who live nearby a similar facility planned for Torquay.

Torquay North residents Naomi and Ian Stewart obtained the data via a freedom of information (FOI) request that revealed 72 triple-0 events had occurred at Haven Geelong on Roslyn Rd in Highton in the 13 months to July.

Ms Stewart said she requested the information to understand how many emergency incidents might be expected at Haven Torquay.

The 12-unit facility earmarked for Silvereye St is being opposed by some due to its density and proximity to a primary school and early learning centre.

Mind Australia operates the Haven facilities and its chief executive Gill Callister said data gleaned from the FOI was a major invasion of privacy.

“We are shocked and disappointed that this data would be sought about the people who live at one of our Haven residences,” she said.

“We were not consulted on the accuracy of these figures as part of this FOI.”

Ms Callister said Mind Australia had no opportunity to clarify the number of call outs made to Haven Geelong.

“Our considerable experience with Haven residences has been that Haven residents have not been high frequency users of emergency services, as we have advised in our fact sheet and other correspondence,” she said.

“The constant attempt to stereotype and shame people living in Haven residences is unacceptable.”

Victoria Police responded to 31 events at the Roslyn Rd facility during the period, with another 31 events recorded for Ambulance Victoria, and 10 for the Country Fire Authority.

Ms Stewart said she was shocked at the high numbers.

“At first we thought it meant just a lot of fire alarms, but it turns out it was mainly ambulance and police,” Mrs Stewart said.

“It’s a graphic picture.”

Ms Stewart said Mind Australia told residents that emergency services were “rarely if ever needed” at Haven facilities.

“They’re saying they’ve never experienced any issues,” she said.

“These statistics say otherwise.”

Ms Stewart said her concern was about the inappropriate location of Haven Torquay, not the service it provides.

“There are 200-plus kids every day waiting to go into school out the front of where the facility will be, not to mention the traffic,” she said

Opponents to The Haven in Torquay at the land earmarked for development opposite Torquay Coast Primary School. Picture: Alison Wynd

Ms Stewart said she hoped Haven Torquay would be relocated to the proposed community hospital site on South Beach Rd, which she said had more space and better emergency service access.

Haven Torquay is funded by Homes Victoria through a partnership between Mind Australia and The Haven Foundation, housing people with long-term mental illness.

Local MP Richard Riordan echoed the concerns of residents.

“Who will take responsibility to manage the road and the safety of all the children if neighbours can expect a weekly disruption in this narrow street?” he said.

Residents are expected to move into the Torquay facility during 2025.

Originally published as Mind Australia ‘shocked and disappointed’ at Geelong emergency call out data being made public