The ACT Government has released the Arcadia House relocation project Listening Report and will not proceed with further consideration of the two shortlisted site options in Cook.
This decision responds to clear feedback from the community about the value placed on its green spaces and concerns about the impact of any development on either site.
The six-week consultation process sought feedback from the community on how both sites are currently used and involved two drop-in sessions, a community town hall, a stakeholder information session, 520 online survey submissions and 60 written submissions.
The consultation process found that while the vast majority of respondents support the ongoing provision of alcohol and other drug rehabilitation services in the ACT, significant concerns exist about the suitability of the two shortlisted Cook sites.
Community members highlighted the importance of the Cook Community Hub precinct and surrounding open spaces, noting that these support social connection, community events and organised sport such as Little Athletics and other long-standing community-led recreation activities.
Infrastructure Canberra, in partnership with Directions ACT, is now assessing whether a potential alternative location has become available since the initial search or if any of the previously considered sites warrant further investigation.
Technical investigations, planning requirements, environmental considerations and service delivery needs will inform the next stage of the process, with further consultation to be undertaken as required.
The Listening Report is available at Relocation of Arcadia House | YourSay ACT.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Rachel Stephen-Smith MLA:
“Thank you to everyone who engaged in the consultation process – whether you attended a drop-in session or the town hall, shared your views via the survey or made a submission.
“At every stage we were clear that no decision had been made regarding either site in Cook, and that community feedback would shape the next stage in the decision-making process.
“Following the feedback from Cook residents, we have decided not to proceed with any further consideration of relocating Arcadia House to either of the two shortlisted sites.
“Arcadia House is a vital rehabilitation and recovery service for people seeking support for alcohol and drug related dependencies, and we are committed to finding a permanent home for this service on the northside.
“It is important to recognise that this decision has been made on the basis of feedback about the current uses of the identified sites in Cook, and I emphatically reject any suggestion that Arcadia House or its consumers would have presented a risk to the surrounding community.
“Alcohol and drug rehabilitation services of this kind are best placed in the community and have an incentive to be excellent neighbours, which is exactly what we see with other sites across the ACT.”
