Construction starts on $23.1 million Dubbo Residential Rehabilitation Centre

The purpose-built facility, jointly funded by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments, will provide safe, structured rehabilitation and withdrawal services, while supporting people to build life skills and reintegrate safely back into the community.

Western NSW Local Health District Chief Executive Mark Spittal said construction is expected to take around 14 months to complete, beginning with earthworks to prepare the site for infrastructure, in-ground services and concrete slab pours.

“This milestone represents years of planning and while there is still a lot of work to be done, I’m extremely pleased to see construction begin. When complete, this new facility will provide lasting benefits for communities across Western NSW,” Mr Spittal said.

“Being able to access safe, high-quality rehabilitation care and support in Dubbo will make a real difference, particularly for those residents in the north-west of our District as they will no longer need to travel to Orange or even further for similar care.

“Importantly, with access to care closer to home, people will be able to stay connected to their families, culture and support networks throughout their recovery journey, which we know can support improved health outcomes.”

Western NSW Local Health District Director of Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Services Helen McFarlane said the new facility will play a vital role in the District’s network of health services, providing comprehensive medical and social support.

“Residential Rehabilitation can be life changing. At its core, it isn’t just about addressing substance dependencies or challenges, it’s also an opportunity for people to rebuild valuable life skills and confidence,” Ms McFarlane said.

“People are supported with the medical care they need and also take part in programs which focus on building overall health, wellbeing and practical skills to manage underlying issues and support long-term recovery and independence.”

“Our priority has always been to deliver the Dubbo Residential Rehabilitation Centre as quickly as possible, to ensure people who need support can access its full suite of services without any unnecessary delays,” Mr Spittal said.

“Together with the main works contractor Renascent Australia, our project team has established comprehensive plans to support that goal, while also ensuring the safety and privacy of contractors, neighbouring residents and the community throughout the scheduled works.

“I want to thank our community once again for their input and support into the planning and development of the new facility. This has helped us understand how we can best balance everyone’s needs in the development of this much-needed new heath facility.”

For more information about the Dubbo Residential Rehabilitation Centre, visit the Urban Talk project listing.