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LOCAL FUNDRAISING PUSH FOR HOPE RESTART CENTRE

Mar 27, 2018 | Building Community Infrastructure, Improving Rural Health, Latest News

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The Nationals’ Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has thrown his support behind a local effort to raise $1.5 million for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre to be built near Bairnsdale.

Mr Chester attended the launch in Bairnsdale of a local fundraising campaign for the Hope Restart Centre.

“A lot of work has been done and meaningful progress has been made,” Mr Chester said. “So far, there has been significant contributions made to this project, including the land.

“I’ve been able to secure $3 million from the Federal Government to put towards the first stage of this $7.5 million project and I will be looking to see what else I can do to help make this project a reality.”

A building permit was granted last month, paving the way work to begin on 20 acres of farmland adjoining the Princes Highway at Lucknow.

Mr Chester repeated his call for the State Government to allocate funding to the Hope Restart Centre.

“It remains to be seen whether the State Government supports this desperately needed facility. It’s time to get this project started and help change the lives of addicts and their loved ones,” Mr Chester said.

“With matching commitments from the Federal and State Governments and a significant community fundraising effort, the proponents have indicated that stage one can commence construction quite quickly.

“All levels of government need to work in a bi-partisan manner to address the increasing problems being seen in our communities as a result of drug and alcohol addictions.

“Bairnsdale is the ideal location for a facility of this type, as it is centrally located in Gippsland and has strong health, education and service sectors that can work with the centre. The rural environment will help clients to recover and re-group before reconnecting with the community.”

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