By Luke Voogt
Drug rehab group Foundation 61 has secured land for a “vital” women’s clinic at Mount Duneed after a two-year search.
“It’s going to be no trouble filling it up,” said founder Rob Lytzki.
“(This clinic) could be the difference between (addicts) getting control of their life again or staying in a life of addiction and poverty.”
Mr Lytzki hoped to have the eight-bed clinic running by June 2019 after the foundation purchased a 0.8 hectare property three weeks ago.
The property was a “healthy distance” away from the foundation’s male facility in Mount Duneed, because female addicts had often suffered family violence, Mr Lytzki said.
“They need to be in a facility where they feel safe – particularly the women.
“Although… sometimes you have guys who have suffered abuse at the hands of women too.”
The facility would also feature children’s bedrooms for two women, Mr Lytzki said.
“Often a mum can’t seek help because she’s got nowhere to place her children.”
Foundation 61 began the search for a property after receiving $1.5 million in the 2016-17 Federal Budget.
“It’s been very difficult to find a property that’s tailor-made for our purposes,” Mr Lytzki said.
The foundation took a year to “seal the deal” with the owner, he added.
Foundation 61 has submitted detailed plans to Geelong’s council for approval.
“We’re well down the road on all that sort of stuff,” Mr Lytzki said.
He expected council to approve the plans in four to six months but hoped it could fast-track them.
“Then we’ll commence the project which is an eight-month build,” he said.
“I’m very excited but it’s frustrating to wait for all the process to go through so we can provide the service.”
Foundation 61 is Christian-based rehab group that charges patients 75 per cent of their welfare benefits.
Patients attend church services as part of the program but are not obligated to adopt Christianity.
