Would-be neighbours of the Riverina Recovery House (RRH) have taken one last shot at the project before it is to be voted on by councillors on Monday night. 

Andrew Watt, speaking on behalf of the Gurwood Street Residents Group, doubts a recovering addict could afford the estimated $48,000 minimum cost for treatment.

“There is no evidence that this type of drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility is needed in the Wagga community,” he said. 

“We do not believe the clientele of this business will be pulled directly from our community, and as such the DA will not meet the first objective of providing the housing needs of the community.

“By planners own admissions, they cannot enforce the conditions of the operations manual and would rely on the complaints of local residents as evidence to take action.

“Would this not be a case of too little, too late?”

About 50 people packed the public gallery last Monday at a planning and policy forum at the council chambers, with both sides presenting their case. 

The proposed facility, a private, purpose-built treatment centre for people wanting to recover from alcohol and drug abuse, is slated to take the place of Millies Guesthouse at 199 Gurwood Street.

Opponent Sally Longmore said her biggest concern was the “unregulated nature” of the business. 

“Many families live in the area and the current freedoms our children have to catch the bus, walk home from school and play with friends outdoors in our street will have to change if the development is to go ahead,” she said. 

“This facility is not a typical home and therefore removes the comfortable feel of our community.

“Ultimately, we want to know who is responsible when something goes wrong.”

The RRH proposal was first rejected by Wagga City Council in August 2016, but developers amended the DA and made a second attempt. 

“The intention of the program is to reintegrate people successfully back into society; this cannot be done as successfully if they were to be isolated from society,” developer Debbie Cox said in a report. 

“I would not even entertain the thought of putting anyone in danger.”