Western NSW Local Health District is inviting the community to provide input on the design of the Dubbo Residential Rehabilitation Centre, as planning and development on the project progresses.
The Dubbo Residential Rehabilitation Centre will be located on Spears Drive in north-west Dubbo and will provide support for people who want to address their dependency on alcohol and/or other drugs and safely integrate back into the community.
Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) is inviting the community to provide input on the design of the Dubbo Residential Rehabilitation Centre, as planning and development on the project progresses.
The Dubbo Residential Rehabilitation Centre will be located on Spears Drive in north-west Dubbo and will provide support for people who want to address their dependency on alcohol and/or other drugs and safely integrate back into the community.
Mark Spittal, WNSWLHD Chief Executive, said consultation with community and stakeholders will begin in March to ensure their feedback is heard and respected, and the clinical and environmental needs of the facility are met in its design.
“This is an exciting step for an important project, which remains one of our highest priorities and will provide life-changing support not just for the local community, but for people across western NSW who are fighting addiction,” Mr Spittal said.
“Input from our community, particularly neighbouring residents, and key stakeholders is vital to the design and development of the facility, to ensure it meets the needs of those who will require support but also delivers a positive outcome for our entire community.”
Mr Spittal said a range of face-to-face and virtual consultation sessions will be available for the community to give feedback, also providing an opportunity to learn more about the facility and understand rehabilitation in a community setting.
“Along with listening to our community’s feedback and giving them a chance to ask any questions, our consultation sessions will also provide a chance for people to hear from our District’s leaders, rehabilitation experts, people with lived experience and design consultants,” Mr Spittal said.
“We want to provide more of an understanding about why this facility is so important, how it will operate, and the kind of support people will receive, but also what we will do to address any concerns the community may raise.
“We will also be collaborating with a range of stakeholders including healthcare professionals, staff, consumers, people with lived experience and government agencies to inform the facility’s design, and the development of a model of care.
“Additionally, we are working closely with key Aboriginal stakeholders and the broader Aboriginal community in a dedicated designing-on-country process, to ensure Aboriginal history is recognised and respected in the facility’s design, and services are culturally safe and appropriate.”
Mr Spittal said following the initial consultation sessions, the Dubbo Residential Rehabilitation Centre’s Concept Design will be developed and presented at subsequent sessions, allowing community and stakeholders further opportunity to provide feedback.
“All of our consultation activities will also play a key role in assisting the preparation of the project’s Development Application, which we are expecting to lodge with Dubbo Regional Council for assessment later in 2024,” Mr Spittal said.
“The Council will assess that Development Application on behalf of the Western Region Planning Panel and while we would expect this to take several months, we are hopeful of gaining approval, and construction beginning, in early 2025.”
The District has engaged Urban Concepts, a third-party consultancy specialising in urban planning and development projects, to support the consultation and Development Application process and provide project updates through its Urban Talk website.
To register for or find out more about consultation sessions or the Dubbo Residential Rehabilitation Centre, or stay up to date, community members can visit the Urban Talk website:
Community consultation sessions (registration required):
Neighbouring residents face-to-face sessions:
Monday 25 March; Oxley Room, Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre
4pm to 6pm; OR
7pm to 9pm
General community face-to-face sessions:
Tuesday 26 March; Oxley Room, Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre
4pm to 6pm; OR
7pm to 9pm
A webinar session will also be held for anyone not able to attend the above face-to-face sessions at 12 noon to 2pm on Tuesday 26 March. For more information visit the UrbanTalk website.
