The Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) has completed a round of open forum community consultations in its proposed development of a residential alcohol and other drug treatment centre in Dubbo.
Seven face-to-face and online sessions were held prior to Easter, giving neighbours of the Spears Drive location, the broader Dubbo community, healthcare providers, and members of the Aboriginal community an opportunity to engage with the Dubbo Residential Rehabilitation Centre (DRRC) project.
“This is an incredibly important project for communities in the west of NSW, and there was certainly strong support for it reflected in these consultations,” said WNSWLHD Chief Executive, Mark Spittal.
“We know there will be a difference of opinion on aspects of the project, and the purpose of consultation is to make sure those views are heard and, wherever possible, addressed in how the project moves forward.
“A more detailed report of the consultations is being developed but, as an example, the discussions we had opened up opportunities for us to explore alternative access points for the site, which will eventually be a part of the planned north-west urban release area. That’s something we can explore with Council as we develop the concept plans.”
Mr Spittal said that as project managers for the DRRC, NSW Public Works will be using feedback received in the consultations to work with architects Fulton Trotter on concept designs for the drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility.
“Those concept designs will form the basis of further consultations toward the middle of the year, before more detailed plans and specialist reports are submitted in a Development Application to the Dubbo Regional Council,” he said.
“The Council will then go through the usual process of exhibiting the DA and preparing the project for the Western Region Planning Panel. The Panel will have its own process for considering input from the community and will ultimately determine approval for the project.”
