Sunrise Way saved by funding
TOOWOOMBA’S only community drug rehabilitation clinic has been saved from closing, thanks to funding from the State Government.
Sunrise Way, which operates a 20-bed facility on Tourist Rd, was in danger of running out of money after community donations dried up.
But Health Minister Cameron Dick said the Government agreed to provide $600,000 in funding over two years to support staff and operational costs.
Sunrise Way chair Shane Charles said the announcement, combined with funding from Lifeline to make up a $120,000 shortfall, would allow the facility to keep treating patients for six months at a time.
“This is an announcement we’ve been waiting on for more than a decade,” he said yesterday.
“We had the private gift from a local family to get Sunrise Way up and running in an operational sense for the last three years, and unfortunately that money was going to run out on June 30.
“So for the Queensland Government to come here today to announce significant funding for Sunrise Way is quite incredible and it does give us some certainty to operate in that region.”
Mr Dick said the two-year commitment gave Sunrise Way more stability in its future, as well as more time to meet key performance criteria needed for further funding.
“I try to give organisations more certainty, so it’s two or three years initially, so they have certainty and then we look to continue that in the future,” he said.
“It’s a 20-bed facility, and Sunrise Way has been providing an opportunity for people to develop purposeful lives.”
Sunrise Way began in 2014 after years of fundraising.