Remote Queensland Indigenous community's only drug and alcohol rehab centre closes

The only alcohol and drug rehabilitation center serving the remote Indigenous community of Woorabinda, Queensland, has shut down after 14 years. The Mimosa Creek Healing Centre, established in 2012, provided residential rehabilitation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.

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Community members had expressed that the service, as currently delivered, was not culturally appropriate for Aboriginal men and that this was preventing men in the community from accessing support when experiencing difficulties with alcohol and other drugs.

The Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council voted in March to terminate the lease held by the not-for-profit Central Queensland Indigenous Development (CQID). Council minutes indicate the decision stemmed from community sentiment expressing "genuine concern" that the service was not culturally appropriate for Aboriginal men, hindering access to support. The minutes also noted that outcomes did not demonstrate expected improvements, with participants reportedly not achieving sustained recovery.

CQID chief executive Jason Field stated that details of these concerns were not communicated to the organization outside of the public council minutes. Despite securing future operational funding, CQID was instructed by the council to vacate the premises by July 8. Field mentioned that CQID's requests for review meetings and letters pleading for the decision to be overturned were disregarded.

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It was further noted the outcomes achieved by the service did not demonstrate the improvements expected. Community concern had been raised that participants were continuing to pass through the service without achieving rehabilitation or sustained recovery outcomes.

CQID has secured a new location in Woorabinda to continue its other programs, including drug and alcohol services, family and youth support, and foster care. However, the new facility will not offer residential rehabilitation due to the lack of a suitable location. The council has not disclosed any plans for the former Mimosa Creek Healing Centre building. This closure occurs as the council last year adopted a five-year Community Safety Plan, which includes proposals for the gradual reintroduction of alcohol into the community after a 17-year ban.

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This has been disregarded.