Residents from across Victoria’s north-east will get the support they need to recover from drug and alcohol addiction, with construction now complete on a new alcohol and drug residential rehabilitation facility in Wangaratta.
Premier Daniel Andrews today officially opened the new 30-bed, multi-million-dollar rehabilitation facility on Greta Road, Wangaratta.
Designed as a welcoming and healing space for individuals and their loved ones, the 30-bed adult residential facility provides a therapeutic and home-like environment where people experiencing addiction can get the help they need to overcome alcohol and other drug use.
The rehab centre includes 24-hour care and support for people who have been through withdrawal or stabilisation and need to continue their treatment.
With a mix of single and double bedrooms with shared bathrooms, the facility also includes consulting, staff and support areas, several shared spaces including a kitchen, dining, lounge and activity areas, and an extensive outdoor deck and landscaped areas for outdoor program activities.
Operated by Gateway Health and Odyssey House Victoria, the new facility means people seeking help for alcohol and drug dependencies can get the right treatment sooner and closer to home – without needing to travel long distances or leave the local support networks they rely on.
The new facility in Wangaratta is part of a $52.1 million investment by the Andrews Labor Government to build three new alcohol and other drug residential rehabilitation facilities in regional Victoria, which will provide care and support to an additional 900 Victorians every year.
Delivered by the Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA), the facility forms part of the Labor Government’s work to tackling alcohol and drug abuse with more than $180 million invested as part of the Ice Action Plan and $87 million through the Drug Rehabilitation Plan.
As stated by Premier Daniel Andrews
“Addiction has a devastating impact on local communities – particularly in regional Victoria. This new facility in Wangaratta will mean people can get the help they need when they need it, closer to home.”
As stated by Minister for Health Martin Foley
“We know drug and alcohol abuse affects every part of Victoria – which is why we are delivering facilities like this one in Wangaratta, as well as others in Corio and Traralgon, and have doubled the number of rehab beds across the state, with more than half of these new beds in regional Victoria.”
As stated by Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes
“Helping to bring significant alcohol and other drug services to the North East has always been a priority – because access to timely and local treatment options is a vital element for many country people getting the support they need”
