Monday, 4 June 2018

Gippsland locals will have access to new rehabilitation beds closer to home and their loved ones with a new alcohol and other drug facility to open in Bairnsdale thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley visited Bairnsdale this morning to announce that the Labor Government is backing the HOPE Restart Centre as one of three new regional residential rehabilitation facilities.

The HOPE Restart Centre has worked with the community and donors to get the idea of a Gippsland residential rehab centre to the point of conception.

Odyssey House Victoria, a leading provider in residential rehabilitation services across Victoria, will run the new facility. The Labor Government will deliver operational funding of at least $1.8 million per year to run the centre.

With operational funding secured, plans can be turned into reality with construction to commence in the next 12 months.

The Labor Government is more than doubling the number of residential rehab beds in Victoria – from 208 beds in 2014 to 450 beds when all facilities are fully operational. More than half of the new beds will be based in regional Victoria, where the greatest need is unmet.

Since coming to office, the Labor Government has invested more than $10 million in new alcohol and other drug treatment services for the Gippsland region.

This includes funding for new specialist family violence advisors and the expansion of services for clients who are at a high risk of overdose.

This means that each year the Gippsland community now receives more than $9 million in funding to support the delivery of high-quality alcohol and other drug treatment services.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing Martin Foley:

“By backing the HOPE Restart Centre, we’re making sure people in Gippsland get their new residential rehabilitation facility as quickly as possible.” 

“Addiction has a devastating impact on our local communities – particularly in regional Victoria. Which continues to be over represented in addiction figures.”

Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing:

“It’s been years of work with HOPE Restart to bring this project together, and now this funding will enable us to provide residential rehabilitation and treatment for Gippslanders, closer to their families, local services and support networks.”