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Lookout Centre back on agenda

The proposed Lookout Residential Rehabilitation Centre is back on the agenda with funding secured to investigate its feasibility.

WRAD Health has received one-off funding from the Victorian Department of Health to undertake a comprehensive feasibility study for The Lookout — the proposed alcohol and other drug (AOD) residential rehabilitation centre for south-west Victoria.

The funding will enable WRAD Health to explore site options in partnership with Eastern Maar Traditional Owners, co-design a culturally safe and effective model of care for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples, develop a detailed business case and governance model and ensure strong community input at every step.

It is the first time that the long-mooted project has received any government funding.

WRAD Health and the south-west community have been campaigning for a regional residential rehabilitation facility for almost a decade. More than $600,000 was committed locally to a fund-raising campaign to support the project.

WRAD Health CEO Mark Powell said the feasibility study was a major step forward for the project.

“We are pleased that the Department of Health is supporting with the feasibility study for the Lookout,” Mr Powell said.

“We are especially proud that this process will be led in genuine partnership with Traditional Owner groups and supported by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), with workshops involving Elders, health leaders, community members, and people with lived experience,” Mr Powell said.