Work complete on rehab centre

Lara MP John Eren and Health Minister Martin Foley touring the new drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility in Corio. (Supplied)

Residents across Geelong and the Surf Coast will get the support they need to recover from drug and alcohol addiction, with construction now complete on a new state-of-the-art alcohol and drug residential rehabilitation facility in Corio.

Last Tuesday, Health Minister Martin Foley and Lara MP John Eren officially opened the new 30-bed, multi-million-dollar rehabilitation facility on Hendy Street, Corio.

Designed to create a welcoming and healing atmosphere for individuals and their loved ones, the facility is expected to provide a structured therapeutic and home-like environment where people experiencing addiction could develop coping skills and address underlying issues to overcome their alcohol and other drug use.

The 30-bed adult residential facility will provide 24-hour care and support for people who have been through withdrawal or stabilisation and need to continue their treatment.

“This brand-new facility is a perfect example of what happens when a strong community like Corio works together to achieve something great,” Mr Eren said.

“This facility will save lives and help people get their lives back on track.”

With a mix of single and double bedrooms with shared bathrooms, the facility also includes consulting, staff and support areas and several shared spaces including a kitchen, dining, lounge and activity areas, along with an extensive outdoor deck and landscaped areas for outdoor program activities.

Operated by Windana, the new facility means members of the community seeking help for alcohol and drug dependencies can get access to the right treatment without needing to leave the region and their support networks.

The new facility in Corio is part of a $52.1 million investment by the state government to build three new alcohol and other drug residential rehabilitation facilities in regional Victoria, which will provide care and support to an additional 900 Victorians every year.

“The Labor government is committed to preventing the devastating effects of alcohol and other drugs in communities around the state and reducing harm, which is why this $52.1 million investment is so important,” Mr Foley said.

“This new facility in the Corio will support so many Victorians to get the care they need close to home.”