The ACT Government is building the health infrastructure our growing city needs, with plans to upgrade the Watson Health Precinct conditionally approved and a Head Contractor appointed.
The government is building new facilities for Ted Noffs and Marymead CatholicCare - who provide care for young people needing alcohol and other drug rehabilitation services or residential mental health care.
The precinct will also expand to include a new 24-bed residential alcohol and other drugs rehabilitation facility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, which will be run by Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services.
Winnunga has led the design of the new facility that will ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people receive culturally appropriate care for the best possible recovery.
Monarch Building Solutions has been engaged as the Head Contractor for the work on the new facilities for Ted Noffs and Marymead CatholicCare. Monarch will work closely with Winnunga and its Head Contractor as they build their new facility.
The ACT Government committed $49 million in the 2023–2024 ACT Budget to upgrade the Watson Health Precinct to support these vital community organisations to continue delivering essential health services to young people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Construction is expected to be completed in early 2026.
Quotes attributable to Rachel Stephen-Smith, Minister for Health:
Alcohol and drug addiction causes significant harm to individuals, families, and communities, with a disproportionate impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The establishment of a residential alcohol and other drug facility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people fills a service gap in the ACT and increases culturally appropriate treatment options in the territory.
We rely on our community health organisations to provide these vital services. The upgraded facilities will enable them to offer a welcoming, secure, and inclusive environment that will help enable positive clinical and therapeutic outcomes.
Quotes attributable to Emma Davidson, Minister for Mental Health and Minister for Population Health:
Community health organisations play a vital and trusted role to support the ACT's growing and changing health needs. They support communities, who have historically been marginalised by government services, so everyone can live healthier in the ACT.
We have and will continue to work closely with the organisations at the Watson Health Precinct to back their great work and ensure more people can get the health care they need when and where best supports them.
Today's announcement takes us a step closer to more live-in alcohol and other drug rehabilitation services for young people, run by the Ted Noffs Foundation, and a residential care facility for young people with mental health conditions, run by Marymead CatholicCare.
Quote attributable to Lachlan Dean, National Programs Manager, Ted Noffs Foundation:
The Ted Noffs Foundation is very excited to see the development of a purpose built Youth Rehab for young people in the ACT. Seeking support for Drug and Alcohol treatment is a massive step for any young person to undertake. Having a space that is designed and created to allow for young people to feel safe, comfortable and promotes treatment removes one barrier to young people accessing support. We welcome the ACT Government's commitment to improve the treatment options for young people in the ACT.
Quote attributed to a spokesperson for Marymead CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn:
The current buildings at Watson are well past their use by dates and the re-build will enhance the ability for STEPS to offer young people an inviting comfortable therapeutic space, surrounded by nature with comforts of home while they work towards their wellbeing goals.
Recognising that a young person's environment is a vital component to feel comfortable and have the space to work towards mental health recovery. Young people struggling with mental health concerns deserve and will appreciate the new welcoming and fresh interiors, inspiring the sense of new beginnings and motivation to work towards their identified mental health recovery goals.
Improved living spaces, kitchen, bedrooms, etc. will encourage young people to maintain and further develop or build on independent living skills, sense of privacy and safety, and responsibility to maintain their own space.
Marymead CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn (MCCG) would like to thank ACT Health and the ACT Government for their ongoing support and assistance to young people experiencing mental health concerns within our ACT Community.
