Bush healing: Call-in powers used to push through controversial centre
A drug and alcohol rehab centre for Aboriginal people in Canberra is one step closer to reality, after the ACT's Planning Minister used his call-in powers to push through its development application yesterday.
Planning Minister Mick Gentleman said the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm at Miowera, about 8 kilometres west of Tuggeranong, would have a strong focus on Aboriginal spirituality and culture.
But rural landholders, who have gone to great lengths to oppose the centre, said they feared it would attract "habitual criminals" to the area.
The United Ngunnawal Elder's Council has been advocating for the centre since 2002, but the project has faced an uphill battle despite backing from the ACT Government.
The Minister's use of his call-in powers this week means the construction of several new buildings for the farm, including a communal centre, two residential pods with four bedrooms, and associated works can now get underway.
Neighbouring property owners have fears for safety: Rural Landholders Association
Earlier this year the ACT's Rural Landholders Association and private land owners unsuccessfully appealed a change of lease ruling for the land where the farm will be built.
They said there would be unacceptable environmental and social impacts if the rehabilitation centre was established.
Following the announcement the association's president Tom Allen said farmers on neighbouring properties were scared for their safety, fearing "habitual criminals" would frequent the area after the centre opened.
"It's the visitors that will be the problem. They'll be leaving alcohol and drugs," he said.
"They're getting alcohol and drugs in Alexander Maconochie. How simple do you think it'll be to put it on a 900-acre farm?"
Mr Allen said he was disappointed in the minister's decision to push through the development application, as it went against the territory plan, and the site for healing farm was too far from police and hospitals.
Mr Allen said the people driving to the healing farm would need to access it via a neighbouring property, creating potential security issues.
'Healing farm could save lives'
Indigenous leaders have welcomed the ACT's planning minister's decision to call in the development approval.
Rod Little from the ACT's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body applauded the decision and said the centre had been a long time coming.
"We think that this facility and its services and programs can benefit the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, and in fact probably save some lives," he said.
Mr Little said the RLA's assertions that the centre would attract criminals were unfounded, and the site held cultural significance for Aboriginal people in the area.
