Plans to build a drug and alcohol residential rehabilitation facility near a suburban oval and childcare centre in Canberra's north have been abandoned after consultation found residents were strongly opposed to the project that would have cut into green space.
Outgoing Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith confirmed Arcadia House would not be built on two sites that had been considered in Cook and the government would look for other possible sites.
"It is important to recognise that this decision has been made on the basis of feedback about the current uses of the identified sites in Cook, and I emphatically reject any suggestion that Arcadia House or its consumers would have presented a risk to the surrounding community," Ms Stephen-Smith said.
"Alcohol and drug rehabilitation services of this kind are best placed in the community and have an incentive to be excellent neighbours, which is exactly what we see with other sites across the ACT."
A report on the government's consultation period said feedback indicated a "strong level of opposition" to the proposed relocation of Arcadia House.
"While many respondents recognised the importance of alcohol and other drug rehabilitation services, a common view was that the service should not be located at either of the shortlisted sites in Cook," the report said.
"The consultation also highlighted a low level of trust among some community members, with respondents questioning whether decisions had already been made and whether the engagement process provided a genuine opportunity to influence outcomes."
Ms Stephen-Smith said no decision had been made in advance and community consultation was always intended to inform the government's decision.
The report noted the support for alcohol and drug treatment services generally.
"A consistent theme throughout the consultation was recognition of the important role Arcadia House plays in supporting people experiencing alcohol and other drug dependency," the report said.
"Many respondents acknowledged the need for rehabilitation and recovery services and expressed support for the continuation of these services in the ACT."
Both sites considered in Cook were within 200 metres of Koala Playschool, as well as Companion House, a community-based organisation for survivors of torture, and Emma Ruby House, a respite house for young people with disabilities.
The sites were on green space next to Cook Oval, which includes a playground and popular areas for dog walking, and one would have been very close to a preschool.
Infrastructure Canberra will work with Directions ACT, which runs Arcadia House, on finding another location for the facility, which needs to be relocated to allow the North Canberra Hospital redevelopment project to go ahead.
"Technical investigations, planning requirements, environmental considerations and service delivery needs will inform the next stage of the process, with further consultation to be undertaken as required," the government said on Wednesday.
More than 850 people had signed a petition calling on the government to pause the decision to relocate Arcadia House to Cook.
Greens leader Jo Clay, whose Ginninderra electorate includes Cook, welcomed the government's announcement but said the process had been poor.
"I attended the town halls, listened to the community, and raised concerns directly with the Minister - echoing what residents were telling me and pushing for alternative sites, including the UC hospital campus, to be genuinely considered," Ms Clay said.
"This outcome is right. But the process was not good enough - and what comes next must be different. Canberra still needs Arcadia House. The government must now find the right site, quickly and transparently, with the community genuinely involved from the very start. I'll be watching that process closely."
