Barwon Health will begin fitting out its new state-of-the-art mental health and drug and alcohol services community hub this week at 181 Moorabool Street.
Developers delivered the new $28 million five-storey building to Barwon Health Friday, March 24, beginning a 12-year lease agreement.
The new mental health hub, scheduled for opening in the final quarter of 2023, will provide the region with a range of support and care services and house more than 100 Barwon Health staff.
Barwon Health’s Mental Health, Drugs and Alcohol clinical director, Professor Steve Moylan, said the building, which cost the state government $16 million in leasing and fit-out costs, will provide increased access and care for people experiencing mental ill-health and addiction.
“The new hub’s ground floor will be a welcoming space for anyone to seek immediate and ongoing treatment, support and care,” Professor Moylan said.
“The hub will consolidate a number of existing services for adults and older adults onto one site, and provide extended operating hours including evenings, weekends and public holidays.
“Services will include assessment, navigation, care planning, treatment, wellbeing support and education. Accessing the best care can at times be confusing; this new hub is an important step in making it easier to access help when it’s needed.
“Working from a contemporary, fit-for-purpose and safe facility, clinicians will provide telephone, online, walk-in, at-home and outreach services. The hub will also include space for clinicians and researchers to come together and drive mental health service improvement through a learning health care system.”
The property, formerly Belcher Arcade, has undergone a complete transformation since developer UP Property purchased the site in 2017, featuring a five-star NABERS sustainability rating and external artwork by local indigenous artist, Minna Leunig.
UP Property managing director Adam Davidson said the development, the most significant CBD leasing deal in recent times, was important for central Geelong and the wider community.
“We saw the site as an opportunity for Up Property to reimagine the building with an adaptive re-use and the addition of three stories, enabling it to become the future long-term home for Barwon Health,” Mr Davidson said.
“We are delighted to announce the handover of this very important project, which will benefit the community for years to come. Three new levels added to the existing building are now complete, along with a flexible use space on the ground floor. A flow of pedestrians will now expand beyond the thriving laneways precinct, helping to bring vibrancy to a new section of the Geelong CBD.”
