❓ Hon. Sally Talbot questions the Minister for Mental Health regarding a drug rehabilitation facility blocked by the City of Busselton and the government's engagement with local government on its meth strategy. The Minister responds outlining existing plans for rehabilitation services in the South West.
AnsweredQoN 703Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
METRICUP
DRUG REHABILITATION FACILITY
703. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the minister
representing the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to the recent decision by
the City of Busselton to refuse planning permission for a drug rehabilitation
facility at Metricup.
(1) Has the minister
or her office or department had contact with anyone at the council about either
the proposal or the decision to block the establishment of this facility; and,
if so, what was the nature of this contact and what view was expressed on
behalf of the government?
(2) If no to (1), is such contact
planned and when?
(3) Has the
government made any specific attempt to engage and educate local government
about its planned meth strategy, in particular the treatment and support
component of that strategy; and, if so, what form has this engagement taken?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Will the
government act now to ensure that the Busselton region is not denied this
opportunity to have a much-needed rehabilitation centre to help the families
and individuals who strongly support such a facility and desperately need its
services?
DRUG REHABILITATION FACILITY
703. Hon SALLY TALBOT to the minister
representing the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to the recent decision by
the City of Busselton to refuse planning permission for a drug rehabilitation
facility at Metricup.
(1) Has the minister
or her office or department had contact with anyone at the council about either
the proposal or the decision to block the establishment of this facility; and,
if so, what was the nature of this contact and what view was expressed on
behalf of the government?
(2) If no to (1), is such contact
planned and when?
(3) Has the
government made any specific attempt to engage and educate local government
about its planned meth strategy, in particular the treatment and support
component of that strategy; and, if so, what form has this engagement taken?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
(5) Will the
government act now to ensure that the Busselton region is not denied this
opportunity to have a much-needed rehabilitation centre to help the families
and individuals who strongly support such a facility and desperately need its
services?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question.
(1) No. The
Mental Health Commission was not involved in the development of the Busselton
submission and had no contact with the council. Mr Khim Harris provided advice
to the minister outlining his proposed private facility on 22 June 2016 and did
not request any support or funding for his proposal. The minister acknowledged
his letter and provided advice around the ''Better Choices. Better
Lives. Western Australian Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan
2015–2025'', which is outlined in the answer to part (2), and
the tenders, which are outlined in the answer to part (4).
(2) In accordance
with the plan, the Mental Health Commission has commenced planning for a 36-bed
residential rehabilitation service in the south west by 2016. Planning will
involve engagement with local partners in due course.
(3) No.
(4) As part of
the $14.9 million WA methamphetamine strategy, the government is expanding
prevention and treatment services and is providing an extra eight local medical
withdrawal beds and 52 residential rehabilitation beds across the state by the
end of 2017. The Mental Health Commission is currently reviewing tenders, with
contracts expected to be in place by October 2016.
(5) As outlined
in the answer to part (2), the Mental Health Commission has commenced planning
for a residential rehabilitation facility in the south west. The Mental Health
Commission funds the south west community alcohol and drug service, which
provides counselling and support services across the south west region.
of the question.
(1) No. The
Mental Health Commission was not involved in the development of the Busselton
submission and had no contact with the council. Mr Khim Harris provided advice
to the minister outlining his proposed private facility on 22 June 2016 and did
not request any support or funding for his proposal. The minister acknowledged
his letter and provided advice around the ''Better Choices. Better
Lives. Western Australian Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drug Services Plan
2015–2025'', which is outlined in the answer to part (2), and
the tenders, which are outlined in the answer to part (4).
(2) In accordance
with the plan, the Mental Health Commission has commenced planning for a 36-bed
residential rehabilitation service in the south west by 2016. Planning will
involve engagement with local partners in due course.
(3) No.
(4) As part of
the $14.9 million WA methamphetamine strategy, the government is expanding
prevention and treatment services and is providing an extra eight local medical
withdrawal beds and 52 residential rehabilitation beds across the state by the
end of 2017. The Mental Health Commission is currently reviewing tenders, with
contracts expected to be in place by October 2016.
(5) As outlined
in the answer to part (2), the Mental Health Commission has commenced planning
for a residential rehabilitation facility in the south west. The Mental Health
Commission funds the south west community alcohol and drug service, which
provides counselling and support services across the south west region.
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