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Backing the Hope Restart Centre for Gippsland

New alcohol and other drug facility to open in Bairnsdale

By Portal Admin - 17th June 2018 - Back to News

Gippsland locals will have access to new rehabilitation beds closer to home and their loved ones with a new alcohol and other drug facility to open in Bairnsdale thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.

Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley visited Bairnsdale this morning to announce that the Labor Government is backing the HOPE Restart Centre as one of three new regional residential rehabilitation facilities.

The HOPE Restart Centre has worked with the community and donors to get the idea of a Gippsland residential rehab centre to the point of conception.

Odyssey House Victoria, a leading provider in residential rehabilitation services across Victoria, will run the new facility. The Labor Government will deliver operational funding of at least $1.8 million per year to run the centre.

With operational funding secured, plans can be turned into reality with construction to commence in the next 12 months.

The Labor Government is more than doubling the number of residential rehab beds in Victoria – from 208 beds in 2014 to 450 beds when all facilities are fully operational. More than half of the new beds will be based in regional Victoria, where the greatest need is unmet.

Since coming to office, the Labor Government has invested more than $10 million in new alcohol and other drug treatment services for the Gippsland region.

This includes funding for new specialist family violence advisors and the expansion of services for clients who are at a high risk of overdose.

This means that each year the Gippsland community now receives more than $9 million in funding to support the delivery of high-quality alcohol and other drug treatment services.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing Martin Foley:

"By backing the HOPE Restart Centre, we’re making sure people in Gippsland get their new residential rehabilitation facility as quickly as possible."

"Addiction has a devastating impact on our local communities - particularly in regional Victoria. Which continues to be over represented in addiction figures."

Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing:

"It’s been years of work with HOPE Restart to bring this project together, and now this funding will enable us to provide residential rehabilitation and treatment for Gippslanders, closer to their families, local services and support networks."

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: support@gippsland.com

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  Martin Cameron and Melina Bath met Gippsland builders to discuss housing affordability challenges, citing rising taxes, fees and planning delays. The Nationals and Liberals propose faster approvals, increased land supply and tax relief.
• Celebrate the Lakes event highlighting Gippsland Lakes diversity and environmental projects protecting vital local ecosystems
  The East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority will host Celebrate the Lakes at Eagle Point, showcasing Gippsland Lakes biodiversity, environmental projects and community efforts protecting local waterways, wetlands and wildlife.
• Major GRISS upgrade strengthens Gippsland’s premier indoor sports and events venue for future growth
  The upgraded Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium was officially opened, delivering modern facilities, supporting local jobs, and strengthening its role as Gippsland's leading venue for community sport and major events.
• Councils begin planning for renewable energy growth across Wellington and South Gippsland communities
  Wellington and South Gippsland councils have begun a major renewable energy planning project, backed by $4.7 million, to prepare communities for future growth through housing, infrastructure, employment, services and economic development.
• Darren Chester and Matt Canavan to tour Gippsland industries, meeting local employers and workers across seven regional towns
  Nationals Leader Matt Canavan will tour Gippsland for two days, visiting major energy, forestry, manufacturing and agricultural businesses to discuss regional jobs, investment and industry challenges.
• Danny O’Brien urges premier to delay Gippsland offshore wind transmission tender until after November state election
  Danny O’Brien urges the Premier to delay VicGrid’s Gippsland offshore wind transmission tender until after November’s election, allowing community input and addressing landholder and environmental concerns.
• Danny O’Brien urges Premier to delay Gippsland offshore wind transmission tender until after November state election
  Danny O’Brien is urging the Premier to delay awarding VicGrid’s Gippsland offshore wind transmission tender until after November’s state election, citing landholder concerns and unresolved environmental, financial and property impacts.
• Working together to secure East Gippsland's water future through integrated water management
  East Gippsland CMA and regional partners are collaborating through Integrated Water Management to address climate, flooding, population growth, stormwater, recycled water and wetland protection challenges while planning sustainable projects.
• New Bairnsdale footpath to improve access between Princes Highway and key health and community facilities
  A new 280-metre concrete footpath will link Bairnsdale’s Princes Highway with key health and community facilities, improving safety and accessibility for pedestrians, with construction beginning September 21 and lasting six weeks.
• Community groups encouraged to apply for East Gippsland’s 2026-27 grants program before 14 September 20260 deadline
  East Gippsland community groups can apply for 2026–27 grants supporting community, environmental, social and wellbeing projects, with funding from $3,000 to $20,000 available until September 14, 2026.
• New drinking fountains improve free water access across Sale's popular recreation facilities
  Sale's major recreation facilities now offer improved free drinking water access, with new fountains at Aqua Energy, Port of Sale and Gippsland Regional Sports Complex, supporting hydration and reusable bottle use.
• Five additional VLocity train sets to boost Gippsland Line capacity and ease crowding as the Nationals commitment
  The Nationals will add five VLocity train sets to Gippsland services, providing 1,110 extra seats and enabling longer trains during peak periods to ease overcrowding on Traralgon and Bairnsdale services.
• New Lakes Entrance fire station prioritised ahead of 2026 state election
  Council is urging the Victorian government to fund a new Lakes Entrance CFA station, replacing the 90-year-old facility to improve emergency response, safety, capacity and regional resilience.
• Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
  New nurse-to-patient ratios have passed Parliament, with Gippsland hospitals reclassified, but workforce shortages and funding pressures raise concerns over implementation and patient care.
• The Nationals promise apprenticeship training cost cuts, new technical colleges and toll relief to support Gippsland tradies and businesses
  The Nationals propose a $115 million apprenticeship fund, 10 new technical colleges for 5,000 students, and a $50 weekly toll cap to reduce costs, support Gippsland tradies and strengthen regional businesses
• Moondarra Reservoir gains new pathway and native garden beds, enhancing recreation, accessibility and Aboriginal cultural connections
  Gippsland Water has completed a new pathway and native garden beds at Moondarra Reservoir, improving visitor access, enhancing recreation and incorporating local flora, Aboriginal cultural information and community collaboration.
• Danny O'Brien calls for urgent action on ongoing Gippsland power outages impacting residents, businesses and critical services
  The Nationals' Danny O'Brien is calling on the Victorian government to demand answers from electricity providers over repeated Gippsland outages disrupting residents, businesses and critical medical equipment.
• Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
  East Gippsland Shire Council is installing two louvered roofs at Bairnsdale Library, improving shade, weather protection and outdoor activities, with works expected to take two weeks.