VCAT gives tick to The Lookout drug residential rehabilitation centre at Dennington

The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal agreed to vary staffing levels for the proposed Lookout centre at Dennington.

Under the original permit, staffing levels were at least 30 per cent higher than every other state-funded facility of its type in Victoria.

Western Region Alcohol and Drug centre director Geoff Soma said the changes reduced the number of staff required at nights and on weekends, bringing the centre in line with other similar facilities and making The Lookout project viable.

He said VCAT's decision would support clients and families who were adversely affected by alcohol and other drug problems.

"In the current pandemic, there are issues around alcohol and mental health being highlighted in the community and the decision on The Lookout gives some hope into the future for those dealing with these problems," Mr Soma said.

Mr Soma thanked the "significant general community support for this project".

"An overwhelming number of organisations, service clubs as well as philanthropic trusts have got behind The Lookout and their support is appreciated," he said.

WRAD will now work with the Department of Health and Human Services and look at ways to fund the completion of the project.

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Objector, Dennington resident Richard Ziegeler, said he was disappointed in VCAT's decision.

"The community objection was on the basis that the facility cannot operate safely for the community in that vicinity and with those kind of staffing levels," he said.

"The facility can't operate the way other facilities are operated because it doesn't have the land capability, size, or natural benefits that other sites have.

"The residents of the facility will not have a fair chance and The Lookout organisers have made no effort to conduct any community consultation or communication."

Mr Ziegeler said the majority of objections were based on "fear, lifestyle, and in some cases people's livelihoods which will be jeopardised by this facility".

"I know that many residents are concerned they will now have to spend a lot of money to improve the security of their own homes," he said.

"But we are primarily worried about the fact that it's going to be such a waste of money when they find that this facility cannot work at that site. It is completely impractical and doesn't lend itself to that particular use."

VCAT said in its decision that it was "persuaded that the level of risk to the surrounding community is sufficiently low for us to conclude that the proposed amendment of staff numbers at certain times, will not result in any unacceptable outcomes."

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