Fears a new medical centre in New Street would be a drugs and rehabilitation centre and methadone clinic have been allayed by the Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service at a meeting of Council on Wednesday.-
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Senior Planner for Geolyse who are helping WACHs put together the development told the meeting of councillors a drug and rehab centre was never in their plans despite widespread rumours and speculation.-
''What we are processing is explicitly clear. We haven't misled the community'' Steve Guy told councillors and the gallery.-
''This is dental centre, counselling and administration centre.''-
Mr Guy said the development would comply with fire safety, parking off site would not generate adverse impacts and water flows would not be affected he said.-
Deputy CEO for the Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service Melissa Mills said the work of her group had already put more than $10million into the local economy employing many local people and the development identified a real need in the community'' It will help many people who have never seen a dentist'' she said.-
Local rate payer Glen Bryen said residents were concerned about the lack of notice provided to them and was also concerned about the parking capacity of the development.-
He also asked the council to warn residents if the Development Application changed and there were threats the centre would have a proposal for a drug and rehabilitation centre later on giving the community would have time to respond.-
Another local Pamela Lawrence also aired concerns about a possible drug and rehabilitation centre ''Once its set up in the future it will be a drug and rehabilitation centre down the track'' she said ''The lights will go up. Crime is out of control and I am concerned about this'' -
Mrs Lawrence also noted concerns with water flow and parking saying water pressure which she claims is already a problem may get worse.-
But Council Planning Director said the Wellington Aboriginal Health Corporation Service-
had complied so far with all regulations. He revealed parking would be off site and said he would talk with the engineering service in relation to the quality of service flow.-
Cr Terry Dray moved a motion to give the development the go ahead '' I'll move this but with the specific note that it won't be a drug and rehabilitation centre or a methadone clinic
