A DEVELOPMENT application for a $5 million Women’s Group Home at Moonee Beach is to be determined by the Northern Regional Planning Panel, not Coffs Harbour City Council.

The development proposes the demolition of existing structures on the Solitary Islands Way site that have been used for a Group Home for men and have become outdated, and construction of new structures for use as a Transitional Group Home for women called Adele Womens Group Home.

The twenty male clients currently living at the existing group home will be relocated to another recently constructed group home run by Adele House at Bucca.

Adele House is a registered charity that was established in 1984, and is one of the oldest drug and alcohol rehabilitation services in NSW.

Adele House operates an accredited abstinence-based residential treatment program where the clients reside for three to twelve months and undergo intensive counseling and recovery sessions.

For the past ten years, at any one time, the Moonee Beach facility has assisted up to 20 men who are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.

The new Moonee Beach facility will include 20 bedrooms, kitchen/dining facilities, a small gym for residents, an office and counselling rooms.

It will be staffed 24/7 and no client will be able to drive or have a vehicle while they are at Adele House.

The new development will be used for residential rehabilitation programs for women recovering from drug and alcohol problems.

Onsite services to be provided at the group home include therapy, counselling, gardening, exercise, cooking, reading, and computer work.

The development application was publicly advertised by Council from 9 August to 6 September, and four submissions were received.

As the DA has been deemed a ‘regionally significant development’ and has a capital investment value of more than $5 million for a group home, it is required to be determined by the Northern Regional Planning Panel and not Council.

Council staff have provided a development assessment report which recommends the development for approval, subject to conditions, to the Panel for determination.

The application is scheduled to be considered by the Northern Regional Planning Panel with a meeting date yet to be fixed in December, 2020.

 

By Emma DARBIN