The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has raised a matter with the Minister for Mental Health, calling for the Minister to visit Merbein and facilitate community forums regarding the recently announced Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) rehabilitation facility.
During a recent visit, the Minister announced that the AOD facility would be established at the site of the old Merbein West school, fulfilling a policy commitment first presented by The Nationals in 2018. While the need for such a facility is widely acknowledged, there are concerns within the community regarding the location and the level of consultation that has taken place.
“There is no doubt that this facility is a positive development for Mildura and the surrounding regions,” said Ms Benham.
“However, the community of Merbein has voiced concerns about the lack of consultation and the scarcity of information regarding key aspects of the project, including the facility’s appearance, security measures, and surrounding infrastructure.”
The former school site, which has been vacant for years, lacks essential infrastructure such as public transport and footpaths, making it challenging to connect the facility to the town centre of Merbein.
These concerns have prompted Ms Benham to seek the Minister’s intervention in organising community forums to provide more detailed information and engage the residents of Merbein in discussions about the project’s impact on their community.
“My office is ready to support these forums as the community deserves to be fully informed about what this facility will mean for them.
“That’s why I’m urging the Minister to visit Merbein and directly engage with local residents.”
Ms Benham emphasised the broader benefits of the long awaited AOD rehabilitation facility for those in need of treatment but stressed the importance of transparency and community involvement in the planning and implementation stages.
