Yarra Council approves mental health hospital despite objections from Alphington Grammar

·

A 32-bed mental health hospital will be developed in Melbourne’s inner north-west after it received approval by the Yarra City Council on Tuesday night, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

The facility will be developed just off Heidelberg Road in Alphington, despite objections from families, staff and students from nearby Alphington Grammar School.

The hospital will be run by Healthe Care and would cater to patients with mild mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, and would exclude those with a primary diagnosis of substance abuse.

The Council approved the mental health hospital during a planning decisions committee meeting on Tuesday night, with Councillor Anab Mohamud acknowledging the development was a complex issue, but said there was high demand for mental health support.

According to The SMH, the council was flooded with almost 200 objections to the proposal, many submitted by the families of children enrolled at Alphington Grammar.

The proposed site of the mental hospital near Alphington Grammar School. Photo: SMH.

Alphington Grammar School principal Vivianne Nikou spoke at Tuesday night’s meeting and said the facility had proposed inadequate reporting mechanisms if safety issues cropped up.

“Students in primary school particularly are at a highly impressionable age, and interactions with strangers can be very detrimental to their own psychological development,” Ms Nikou said, while proposing the land behind the facility be taken off the roads register and sold to the land owners of the school.

Councillor Bridgid O’Brien, who was also on the committee, added an amendment to the successful proposal for a 1.8-metre-high fence to be erected at the mental health hospital near the grammar school.

She said there will be further ongoing work around the risk assessment issues, done by the appropriate medical authorities.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From Metallica to Maritime: The many lives of Greek shipping tycoon Harry Vafias

Though Greek shipping tycoon, Harry Vafias, spends much time working, it certainly isn't a case of 'all work and no play.’

‘I want them to know their word matters’: Peter Georgiou stands against gender violence

Peter Georgiou, a real estate agent from Rushcutters Bay and father of four-year-old twins Leila and Lola, believes change begins at home.

Thessaloniki’s Byzantine walls to shine with new light project

Thessaloniki’s iconic Byzantine Walls are set to be illuminated under a major cultural initiative announced by the Greek Ministry of Culture.

Greek World Heritage Cities face rising climate threats

Iconic Greek cities—Athens, Thessaloniki, Corfu, Rhodes, and Patmos—face serious climate threats, according to a new UNESCO-backed report.

Are apps like Duolingo enough to learn Greek, or do we need a tutor?

For many people who want to learn conversational Greek, an app, can be a very useful addition to your program.

You May Also Like

International forum marks Greek Genocide commemoration

The Greek-American organisation, the Eastern Mediterranean Business and Cultural Alliance (EMBCA), held its third Forum on the Greek Genocide

Greece marks International Women’s Day 2022

Hundreds of people participated in a rally and march to mark International Women’s Day 2022 in Athens on Tuesday.

Donald Trump sworn in as 47th US President

Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on Monday, January 20, following a norm-breaking election campaign.