Bundaberg residential rehabilitation and withdrawal service
The Queensland Government is delivering a new alcohol and other drug service to better meet the health needs of people and families in Bundaberg and surrounding communities in the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service region. The new adult residential treatment service will deliver withdrawal management and care, as well as a rehabilitation program.
The new service is voluntary for people aged 18 years and over who want to make positive changes in relation to their alcohol and other drug use. The service will include 28 places for residential treatment for adults, including 8 withdrawal management beds and 20 rehabilitation beds.
News and updates
A contract for construction of the new Bundaberg Residential Treatment Service was awarded to Apollo Property Group. Design Development is underway with actual construction works due to commence in March 2024, approvals pending.
Past updates
-
The Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) application has been approved. Visit the MID public register and search MID-0322-0587 - Bundaberg Residential Rehabilitation Facility for the decision notice.
-
The Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning (DSDILGP) conducted public consultation as part of the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) Process. The consultation closed on 20 September 2022. An update will be provided as the outcome is known.
Location
The new residential treatment service will be located at 57 Wilmington Road, Thabeban.
The new service will comprise of single-story buildings across a 1.5-hectare site which will include:
- accommodation for 20 adult individuals
- an 8-bed withdrawal unit
- an administrative building with reception for clients and visitors, and office space for staff
- car parking for approximately 20 cars and an area for ambulance access
- a treatment program area for rehabilitation clients
- kitchen, dining and laundry
- indoor and outdoor spaces for recreation, program activities and cultural components of care.
The land and buildings will be owned by the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service.
Treatment provider
Treatment services will be delivered by a specialist and experienced provider of alcohol and other drugs treatment and care, under contract with the Department of Health.
Services
Treatment services will include residential rehabilitation, generally a 6-to-12 week structured program for up to 20 people at one time, and withdrawal management and care to support clients to cease substance use for up to 8 people at one time. Pre-treatment support and aftercare will also be provided for clients.
The service will require clients to actively participate in their own recovery. Admission will be restricted to people assessed as suitable for a residential program. The safety and wellbeing of staff, clients and the community will be a key priority. Referrals to the new service will be prioritised from Bundaberg and other parts of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service region.
The service will be staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The main operating hours of the service are expected to be 8:30am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday.
Project timeframes
| Phase | Timing |
|---|---|
| Preliminary engagement phase – Ministerial Infrastructure Designation process. | August 2021 |
| Community Information Forum – for local residents | 23 August 2021 |
| Community Information Forum – for local residents | 8 March 2022 |
| Formal public notification phase - Ministerial Infrastructure Designation process. | August to September 2022 |
| Ministerial Infrastructure Designation decision - Visit the MID public register for more information. | April 2023 |
| Construction phase | Due to commence March 2024 |
Consultation
The following information summarises some of the key themes and questions from community consultation.
Why Bundaberg?
While there are some existing services in Bundaberg and the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service region that provide alcohol and other drug treatment and care, the new residential service will improve access to more intensive bed-based withdrawal management and rehabilitation treatment. It will contribute to meeting the alcohol and other drug service demand in the region and complement treatment provided by other services.
The service will benefit the Bundaberg community through the creation of new jobs for the construction and delivery of the new residential service. It is estimated that the service will employ up to approximately 25 full time positions across all functions.
Residential treatment in community settings
Alcohol and other drug residential services are part of a range of treatment options for people who need help with their substance use.
Residential, or community bed-based services are primarily for people who need more intensive treatment, than can be provided through appointment-based counselling. The residential setting helps develop improved daily living skills and supports engagement in individual and group therapeutic activities.
Clients benefit from residential services being located in communities where there is access to transport and other services to support recovery and community re-integration.
Will the service impact public safety?
There is no evidence to suggest crime rates or safety issues increase because of residential treatment services. Effective treatment contributes to reducing substance use and to improving community safety.
Queensland Health and Queensland Police Service will work together with the local community to address any issues should they arise.
How is the service managed?
A specialist alcohol and other drug treatment provider will manage all elements of the service under agreement with the Department of Health and Hospital and Health Service. The service provider will have 24/7 staffing and a structured program for clients to engage in to meet their treatment goals.
Service staffing will include access to medical and nursing staff, allied health such as psychologists, social workers, and other health care and support staff.
The service provider will have processes in place to manage when clients or visitors enter or leave the centre and to respond to any incidents, disturbances, or nuisances if they occur. Clients are not allowed to have or consume alcohol or drugs while they are participating in the residential treatment program.
Enquiries
For further enquiries about the Bundaberg service project, please email AOD_CapitalProjects@health.qld.gov.au.