The City of Karratha is calling on the State Government to progress the establishment of a Step Up Step Down facility in Karratha.
The Step Up Step Down facility was first proposed by the Mental Health Commission in 2013, with funding initially allocated in the 2015/16 State Budget.
In 2017, after community concern over the site proposed by the MHC, the City shortlisted alternative locations, and the Gregory Way site was selected by MHC in 2018.
Community consultation was then held in 2018, and in 2019, the City disposed of the preferred site on Gregory Way over to the MHC for the facility.
In late November, the MHC visited Karratha and hosted a public meeting to discuss the SUSD project.
MHC has advised the City there are still pending community and stakeholder consultation and engagement despite consultation being held previously.
City of Karratha Mayor Daniel Scott said there had been limited progress in establishing a Step-Up Step-Down facility in the City.
“There are currently no services of a similar nature available in our city and this leaves members of our communities dealing with change to their mental health to face their struggles alone,” Cr Scott said.
“Council has long been supportive of a Step Up Step Down facility in Karratha because of the communities need for one, and while there have been delays because of legislative requirements, we’re calling on the State Government to progress the Step Up Step Down Facility.”