As a concerned parent whose children attend this school and childcare in the heart of Torquay, I am deeply troubled by the proposed construction of a mental health facility next to these institutions. This is not just about my children; it's about all our children who go in and out of these facilities without concern.

The proposed location for this facility raises significant concerns regarding the safety and wellbeing of our young ones. While we acknowledge and support the need for mental health services, placing such a facility adjacent to schools could potentially expose our children to situations they are not equipped to handle.

According to Australian Bureau of Statistics data from 2018, one in five Australians experience mental illness each year. However, placing such facilities next door to educational institutions may not be an optimal solution. It is crucial that we find a balance between providing necessary care for those with mental health issues while also ensuring that our schools remain safe spaces for learning.

Initially, news of a "potential" facility surfaced through the Geelong Advertiser, with our local Member of Parliament, Richard Riordan, confirming the land acquisition by the Haven Group. Originally slated for 3-6 units designed to accommodate the elderly and disadvantaged, recent developments have significantly altered the scope of the project. The proposed facility now entails 12 units spanning two levels on a 1000sqm block for “significant mental health” residents, raising concerns about the suitability of such cramped living conditions for potential tenants. Furthermore, the lack of adequate public transportation and employment opportunities nearby exacerbates the issue, potentially isolating the residents from vital community engagement.

The proximity of this facility to our school, where 550+ children commute daily, poses an unacceptable risk, especially in light of recent incidents elsewhere. If the recent terrible and catastrophic event in Sydney, Westfield where mental health has been identified as the underlying cause is not cause for alarm and concern over the planned positioning of this centre then I don't know what is. Additionally, a further incident located at the Torquay Pharmacy where a man was threating people with a knife.

Haven group representatives stated that people living in the proposed facility will be suffering from severe mental health issues (https://www.mindaustralia.org.au/services/haven-foundation-integrated-social-housing-and-support-haven-torquay and there does not seem to have been any risk assessment carried out by local council or the Haven group themselves to make the residents and school community feel safe.

The decision to locate a similar facility next to a kindergarten in Winchelsea and Geelong, shrouded in secrecy and devoid of community consultation, only reinforces doubts about the judgment behind such initiatives. We were also misled and not given any open and honest communication about the site and proposed planning until the last minute.

While I acknowledge the necessity of such facilities, I firmly believe that their placement demands meticulous consideration. Torquay boasts a planned hospital, offering a far more suitable environment for such endeavours than a densely populated school zone teeming with young and vulnerable children.

I urge you to consider signing the below petition with assisting the move of this facility to a more suitable location, one that can adequately meet the needs of its occupants while prioritising the safety and welfare of our community's children.

If the centre has to go ahead at this location, then it should instead be re-classified as a centre to house individuals who are escaping domestic violence and can use the amenities such as the school, providing mothers with convenient access to nearby educational facilities. Given the recent alarming statistics on domestic violence-related fatalities, proposing this current site tailored to those in genuine need of such resources seems not only logical but imperative.

We urge local authorities in Surf Coast Shire Council and relevant Labor government bodies involved in this decision-making process to reconsider this location choice. Let's work together towards solutions that respect everyone's needs - those requiring mental health services as well as families seeking safe educational environments for their kids.

Please sign this petition if you believe there should be a reconsideration on where this vital service should be located within our community.