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The developers of a controversial rehab house have vowed to fight council’s decision to reject their plans a second time.
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On Monday night, councillors voted against a “change of use” application to turn the former Millie’s Guesthouse on Gurwood Street into a drug and alcohol recovery house.
The rejection has put the future use of the 14-bedroom, 10-bathroom property into doubt.
“It’s approved as a 10-bed hostel or boarding house, so it could revert to that but we can’t ensure the residents will abstain from drinking or taking drugs,” developer Debbie Cox said.
“We’ll sit down with council and work out what it can be used for under its current approval while we investigate going through the Land and Environment Court.
“There’s no legislative reason why (the recovery house) can’t be here and for neighbours to say they don’t want their children to see these people is not good enough, the thought is appalling.”
Mrs Cox said the decision was “not unexpected”, but was gobsmacked by repeated suggestions to locate the business on a rural property.
“This is a slap in face for all addicts trying to get well, now they’re told they aren’t worthy of being in the community,” Mrs Cox said.
“They’ve made the hard decision to choose this path to get well and now they’re told to go somewhere else.”
The concept of the proposed rehab house was based on “The Sanctuary” at Byron Bay – an upmarket facility that prepares former addicts to reintegrate into society – which was tipped to operate the Wagga business.
One of the councillors who voted against the application was Tim Koschel, who was involved in the Lake Albert’s campaign against the original plans to build the rehab house across the road from a school.
“This was one of the toughest decisions I’ve had to make, I could see both sides of the argument, but the decision was about change of use not the merit of a recovery house,” Cr Koschel said.
“When the neighbours bought in the area it was a boarding house, I know there’s no regulation on residents but you don’t have control over who your normal neighbours are either.”
Council staff confirmed Mrs Cox could potentially get the recovery house approved without needing to go to councillors if she were to change her proposal from 12 bedrooms to 10 bedrooms, but it would still be subject to all relevant standards and requirements.