About the new service
We’re investing in a new residential rehabilitation and withdrawal service to help people get support for problematic alcohol and other drugs use.
The new service will be based in Bundaberg. It will provide live-in treatment and support for people in the Wide Bay region. The new service will be able to treat up to 28 people. It will include:
- 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 will help support the existing alcohol and other drug treatment services across the Wide Bay area. It will also:
- 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.
Building works will also benefit the Bundaberg community through new jobs for construction, planning and design.
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 will be available to people who are ready and want to make positive changes to their alcohol and other drug use.
Location
The new service is at 57 Wilmington Rd, Thabeban Qld 4670.
Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service will own the land and buildings. It includes 1.5 hectares of space for the service and buildings.
What services will be available
Treatment services will include:
- residential rehabilitation programs for 6 to 12 weeks
- withdrawal management care to help people stop substance use
- pre-treatment and post-treatment care to support recovery.
Treatment and service provider
The new service will be managed by a specialist provider of alcohol and other drugs treatment and care. They will be 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 expected to be 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
Project timeline
| 2025 | Building complete and service opens | |
| September 2024 | Service provider is appointed | |
| April 2024 | Procurement phase for service provider starts | |
| March 2024 | Construction starts 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 starts (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.
Site view showing progress of construction November 2024.
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.