Ipswich 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 within the Ipswich Local Government Area and West Moreton Hospital and Health Service (HHS) region as a priority. The new adult residential treatment service will deliver withdrawal management and care, as well as a rehabilitation program.
The new service is for adults 18 years and over experiencing problematic substance use to voluntarily engage in treatment and support. The service will include 10 withdrawal management beds and 36 rehabilitation beds.
News and updates
January 2024
Queensland Health held 4 community drop-in sessions in late November 2023 to share more information about the proposed service, the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) process, and how to make a submission. The drop-in sessions were advertised in local newspapers and the Courier Mail, on local radio, and across social media.
The sessions supported community members to ask questions and provide feedback about development of the site and the planned service. Key questions and feedback themes from the sessions included the environment and flooding, community safety and traffic and transport. Read more about the consultation.
The MID public notification period closed on 19 December 2023. Information about the MID proposal (MID-1023-0734) can be found at the MID-public register.
Past updates
-
The Ministerial Infrastructure Designation formal public notification period has commenced. The proposal (MID-1023-0734) is available online, and submissions about the proposed designation can be made on or before 19 December 2023 via:
- online: www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/mid-consultations
- email: infrastructuredesignation@dsdilgp.qld.gov.au
- post: PO Box 15009, City East, Qld 4002
Drop-in sessions hosted by Queensland Health are being held in the local area at the Ipswich Hockey Complex at 65 Briggs Road, Raceview QLD 4305 (entrance off Huxham Street), to provide information and an opportunity to ask questions, as follows:
- Session 1: Thursday 23 November, 5-7pm
- Session 2: Saturday 25 November, 9-11am
- Session 3: Wednesday 29 November, 11am-1pm
- Session 4: Thursday 30 November, 5-7pm
-
Queensland Health is continuing to identify a suitable site for the new residential treatment service. The purchase of the proposed property in Church Street, Goodna is not proceeding. Following site investigations, the property was assessed as not suitable for intended services.
-
The Ministerial Infrastructure Designation pre-engagement consultation period has commenced. To provide comments about the proposed development please email consultation@epw.qld.gov.au by 10 May 2023. For more information, the Queensland Health information forum is on 2 May 2023 at the Brothers Leagues Club Ipswich.
Location
It is proposed to construct the new residential rehabilitation and withdrawal service at 47-57 Wildey Street, Raceview. It is intended the new service will comprise single-storey buildings across a 1.939ha site which will include:
- accommodation for up to 36 adult individuals as part of the rehabilitation program
- a 10-bed withdrawal unit
- an administrative building with a reception for clients and visitors
- office space and overnight accommodation for staff
- car parking for 30 cars approximately and 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 West Moreton Hospital and Health Service.
Treatment provider
Treatment services will be delivered by a provider of specialist 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 36 people at one time, and withdrawal management and care to support clients to cease substance use for up to 10 people at one time. Pre-treatment support and aftercare will also be provided for clients.
The service will require clients to actively engage in their own recovery. Admission will be for people assessed as suitable for a residential program. The safety and wellbeing of staff, clients, and the community is a key priority. Referrals to the new service will be prioritised from the local area and other parts of West Moreton 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 | April to May 2023 |
Community Information Forum – for local residents | 2 May 2023 |
Formal public notification phase - Ministerial Infrastructure Designation process | November to December 2023 |
| Information drop-in sessions | 23, 25, 29, 30 November 2023 |
Ministerial Infrastructure Designation decision | 2024 (pending) |
Construction phase | Not yet commenced |
Note: An information forum was held on 7 April 2022 for a site in Goodna that is no longer proceeding.
About the planning process
Visit the MID public register and search MID-1023-0734 – Ipswich AOD Residential Rehabilitation Facility under the Live applications tab, for more information.
Ministerial Infrastructure Designations
A Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) is an alternative development assessment process for the delivery of certain community supporting infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and healthcare services.
The assessment of a MID focuses on the proposed land use and associated impacts such as traffic, amenity, and built form.
Two phases of community engagement are undertaken as part of the MID process:
- Preliminary engagement (Phase one): That helps inform the planning and approval process.
- Formal public notification (Phase two): That informs the MID lodged before a final planning decision is made.
Consultation
The following information summarises some of the key themes and questions from community consultation.
Why Ipswich?
There are no specialist alcohol and other drug treatment services of this type currently in the West Moreton Hospital and Health Service region. 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 new service will benefit the community through the creation of new jobs through the construction and delivery of the new residential service. It is estimated that the service will employ approximately 25 full-time equivalent staff 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 the service is 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.
Environment and flooding
As part of the MID, a hydraulic impact assessment and stormwater management plan was completed. This concluded the proposed development will not result in any significant changes in flood water level. The report also suggested some mitigation measures, such as swales and storage tanks, which have been incorporated into the proposed design.
Traffic and transport
As part of the MID, a Traffic Impact Assessment Report was completed. This indicated that development of the site is not expected to have significant impact on the surrounding road network from a traffic perspective, noting provision of on-site parking is included as part of the proposed design.
Enquiries
For enquiries about the Ipswich Service project, please email aod_capitalprojects@health.qld.gov.au.