Call for Banksia Unit to become Detox Facility

The campaign to repurpose Tamworth’s Banksia Mental Health Unit as a drug and alcohol detoxification facility has been taken to the NSW Parliament.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has urged the NSW Government to partner with a service provider to establish detoxification services at the unit once it becomes vacant later this year.

“Tamworth, Gunnedah and the entire Northwest are deeply concerned about the impact of drug and alcohol addiction on our community,” Anderson said.

“We need access to more services and more support, which is why I have been pushing for the Banksia Mental Health Unit to be repurposed into a drug and alcohol detoxification unit when it becomes vacant this year.

“This is a plan that makes good sense. The unit is a purpose-built, clinical facility on hospital grounds that could easily be refurbished and repurposed as a detoxification unit.

“I have a strong plan to make this happen which involves a partnership between government and a non-government organisation to deliver professional clinical care on hospital grounds.

“The refurbishment of the facility could be funded from the $157 million committed by the government to drug and alcohol services in regional NSW as part of the 2024 NSW Drug Summit.”

Anderson has formally called on the Government to consider the proposal, highlighting the need for additional support services in the region.

In a notice lodged with Parliament, Anderson:

• recognised drug and alcohol addiction and dependency as a significant issue for many families across the Tamworth region;
• acknowledged the urgent need for an inpatient detoxification unit in Tamworth;
• noted the existing 25-bed Banksia Mental Health Unit will soon become vacant; and
• called on the Government to partner with a service organisation to provide drug and alcohol detoxification services from the facility as soon as possible.

“This plan makes sense, and I’ll keep pushing the government to progress this opportunity,” Anderson said.