Community
15 May, 2026
Further push for rehab centre
AS figures show an alarming rise in drug harm across regional Victoria, the spotlight has once again been shone on the need for a local rehabilitation service.
Member for South West Coast Roma Britnell believes the area “urgently needs and deserves” life-changing access to drug and alcohol rehabilitation services close to home.
“Families across our region have been raising their voices for years calling for local, residential rehabilitation that supports recovery within the community, not away from it,” she said.
“The Lookout Project would deliver exactly that - allowing people to access rehabilitation close to their families, support networks and the community connections that are proven to be critical to recovery.”
She said new data paints a deeply concerning picture, demonstrating the urgent need for a rehabilitation centre.
“Damning figures from the latest National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program show drug consumption is rising across regional communities,” she said.
“Since September 2023, consumption levels of cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, ketamine, MDA and methylamphetamine have all increased.
“The report also shows regional Victorian sites consistently record higher levels of MDA than the national average, along with greater per capita use of the highly addictive prescription opioid oxycodone.”
She added that while these findings were confronting, they confirmed what Warrnambool Regional Drug and Alcohol Service has been saying for a decade - western Victoria is not being adequately protected from the growing harms of addiction and the illicit drug trade.
“Despite this escalating need, the south west remains the only region in Victoria without a dedicated residential rehabilitation facility and that is simply not good enough.
“Getting people access to timely, local rehabilitation services is not just a health issue - it has clear and far-reaching social benefits.
“Effective treatment and recovery support leads to reduced homelessness, lower rates of crime, and stronger community cohesion. When people are supported to recover and rebuild their lives, the benefits flow through families, neighbourhoods and the broader community, easing pressure on emergency services and strengthening social stability across the region.”
She said that after almost a decade of advocacy, multiple reports and reviews, and repeated calls from the community, the case for the WRAD Lookout Project is overwhelming.
“The evidence is clear, the need is urgent and expectations have been consistently expressed.
“Further delay will only deepen the harm and continue forcing people to travel long distances or miss out on treatment altogether.”
