About the new service
We have invested in a new residential rehabilitation and withdrawal service to help people get support for problematic alcohol and other drugs use.
The new service is based in Bundaberg. It provides live-in treatment and support for people in the Wide Bay region, with referrals from surrounding areas based on client readiness and bed availability. The new service can treat up to 28 people at any one time. It includes:
- live-in accommodation and residential rehabilitation for up to 20 people
- an 8 bed withdrawal unit
- single level buildings including reception for clients and visitors
- office space and an overnight room for staff
- parking for up to 20 cars and ambulance access
- a treatment program area for rehabilitation clients
- kitchen, dining and laundry facilities
- indoor and outdoor spaces for recreation, program activities and cultural care.
Why it’s important
Alcohol and other drug services are part of a range of treatment options for people who are seeking help with problematic substance use.
The new service helps support existing alcohol and other drug treatment services across the Wide Bay area. It also helps:
- improve local access to specialist services, and help people get treatment closer to home
- meet community needs and demand for alcohol and other drug treatment services
- create up to 25 new full time jobs when services are operating.
Who it’s for
People 18 years and over who are seeking:
- intensive and structured alcohol and other drugs treatment
- live-in residential rehabilitation services
- withdrawal management support and care.
The service is voluntary. It is available to people who are ready and want to make positive changes to their alcohol and other drug use.
Location
The new service is located at Thabeban, Bundaberg.
Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service owns the land and buildings. It includes 1.5 hectares of space for the service and buildings.
What services will be available
Treatment services include:
- a residential rehabilitation program for 6 to 12 weeks
- withdrawal management and care to help people stop substance use
- pre-treatment and post-treatment care to support recovery.
Treatment and service provider
The new service is delivered by Lives Lived Well, a specialist provider of alcohol and other drugs treatment and care. They are under contract with the Queensland Department of Health to manage the service. The service will be staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with experienced and qualified staff.
The main opening hours of the service are 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
Project timeline
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| March 2025 | Services commence |
| February 2025 | Building complete |
| September 2024 | Service provider appointed |
| April 2024 | Procurement phase for service provider started |
| March 2024 | Construction started onsite |
| April 2023 | Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) decision |
| August to September 2022 | Formal public notification phase (MID process) |
| 8 March 2022 | Community information forum for local residents |
| 23 August 2021 | Community information forum for local residents |
| August 2021 | Preliminary engagement phase started (MID process) |
Project approval
The new service design follows the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) process.
To read the decision notice or learn more about the MID process, visit the MID public register on the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works website.
Search for MID-0322-0587 - Bundaberg residential rehabilitation facility.
News and updates
We publish regular updates about the new service including information about the building process, tenders and community consultations.
26 March 2025
On Wednesday 26 March, the Queensland Government officially opened the new 28-bed alcohol and other drug residential rehabilitation and withdrawal service in the new purpose-built centre in Bundaberg.
Ministerial Media Statement: New service in Bundaberg offers path to recovery.
March 2025
Construction of the new centre was completed in February. Lives Lived Well commenced delivering services in a phased approach from March 2025, with the intake of clients to increase gradually over time.
For more information about services including referral, eligibility, and suitability visit Lives Lived Well.
September 2024
Queensland Health has appointed Lives Lived Well, a non-government organisation to deliver alcohol and other drugs treatment services from the new centre in Bundaberg. They will start to establish the service including staff recruitment and commence operating after completion of construction.
June 2024
Apollo Property Group started on the site in March 2024 and the building and construction works are progressing.
Procurement for a specialist non-government provider to deliver treatment services at the new Bundaberg residential treatment centre is underway.
January 2024
We’ve awarded the construction contract to Apollo Property Group. The design and development is in progress, and we expect building to start in March 2024. Building is subject to council and building approvals, we’ll publish updates on this page about the approval process.
April 2023
The Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) application has been approved by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Public Works.
September 2022
The Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning held a public consultation as part of the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) process. The consultation closed on 20 September 2022.
Community safety
Effective treatment for alcohol and other drugs issues helps reduce substance use. It helps to improve community safety by allowing better and earlier access to treatment. It also reduces a client's risk of alcohol and drug related harm.
There is no evidence that suggests crime rates or safety issues increase because of alcohol and other drug residential treatment services.
The service is an alcohol and non-prescribed drug free zone. People who access the service must be willing to actively take part in their recovery. They cannot have or take alcohol or other drugs.
The service provider will manage clients and visitors including any possible incidents, disturbances, or nuisances if they happen.
Queensland Health and Queensland Police will also work with the local community to address any issues should they arise.
Contact us
Email AOD_CapitalProjects@health.qld.gov.au if you have any questions about the new services.
If you're concerned about your own or someone else's substance use, call Adis 24/7 Alcohol and Drug Support on 1800 177 833.
You can also visit their website for more information or to chat with a counsellor online.