Futuristic rehab plan
Footy star Harragon backs Southport centre
A COMPANY run by former rugby league hardman Paul Harragon is financing a futuristic facility to help people struggling with drugs and alcohol.
Developer Treelight has lodged plans for a “cutting edge” seven-storey centre in Southport to assist the “growing number of people” needing help. It would be built on the corner of White and Nerang streets.
The facility would be staffed by 37 people, have 173 beds — including eight detox rooms — 37 independent living rooms and 64 twin-share rooms.
Medical consultations would take place on-site as well as group therapy and counselling programs.
Treelight chief executive Jonathan Simpson said the development was a “cutting edge (project) for Australia and certainly best in class worldwide”.
It would be operated by Goldbridge Rehabilitation Services which has operated a small-scale care facility from a house on the Garden St site since 2002.
Goldbridge chairman Ben Williams said the community was struggling to meet demand for drug and alcohol rehabilitation services.
“Goldbridge received over 6500 calls last year with over 2000 callers requiring immediate assistance. Sadly, we could only take a fraction of that figure,” he said.
The development is being financed by boutique property investment firm Boss Private Capital.
Mr Harragon, a tough forward for Newcastle, NSW and Australia, is the managing director.
Treelight this week submitted a development application to the Gold Coast City Council.
It will go before city leaders later this year, but is virtually certain to be given the tick of approval, having been lodged under the suburb’s priority development area (PDA) policy.