By Jena Carr
Some Torquay parents are concerned for the safety of their children with a proposed mental health facility due for construction near a primary school.
Mind Australia’s The Haven Foundation plans to build Haven Torquay, a 12-unit mental health facility, at 26 Silvereye Street, opposite Torquay Coast Primary School and YMCA Early Learning Centre.
The parents started a petition to urge Surf Coast Shire Council and relevant decision-making authorities to consider relocating the facility.
Fernanda Alberici is the mother of two girls who attend the primary school. She said she was worried about the proximity of “12 mentally ill people” across the road from a primary school.
“I don’t think there is anybody against the facility itself, but what we do not want is the facility on the other side of the primary school,” she said.
“I was walking around the area with my daughter, and it’s (the mental health facility) just across the road. You have to cross the road from where the kids park their bikes.
“The residents who will be neighbouring this facility are also very concerned as they are all parents with young children, and it will border their backyard.
“We do need more mental health services in this country, that’s not debatable as we do need more mental health housing, but it’s also appropriate to discuss where you are going to place them.”
The Haven Foundation Housing Strategy executive director Mark Heeney said The Haven Foundation was committed to the site and location of Haven Torquay.
“There is no reason to believe that Haven Torquay would not operate harmoniously in the community,” he said.
“We evaluate sites for Haven residences with great care, taking into consideration the needs of Haven residents and the suitability of the development for the surrounding area.
“The Haven Foundation already has four Haven residences that are situated within 450m to 850m walking distance of a primary school and have done so without incident or concern.”
Surf Coast Shire Community Life general manager Damian Waight said council had been “proactive” in working with Mind Australia to address community concerns.
“Council does not have a planning approval role with the Haven Torquay residence, as it has a State Planning Scheme exemption,” he said.
“We will continue to liaise with Mind Australia and to help them further understand and respond to community…concerns and encourage good communication and engagement on this project.”
The ‘Relocate the proposed mental health facility next to Torquay Coast Primary’ petition has had more than 900 signatures as of 5pm Wednesday, July 10, with the petition available on change.org
