Youth outpatient care centre seeks planning approval

PLANS for a residential outpatient care facility in South Geelong have been submitted for planning approval with a request for fast-tracked approval.

Barwon Health will operate the Youth Prevention and Recovery Care (YPARC) at 40 Little Fyans Street once constructed. The state government’s Victorian Health Building Authority (VHBA) would manage the build.

The facility will provide residential short and medium-term treatment and support for people aged 16-25 living with mental ill health, such as psychological distress.

It is aimed at providing additional support following a patient’s discharge from hospital before returning home, or when additional support is needed to prevent a hospital admission.

The two-storey building would include spaces such as a therapeutic garden, discussion spaces, sensory rooms and communal living areas, with 10 resident beds and room for one overnight staff member.

The VHBA announced its plans in 2021 to build the Geelong facility as part of a $141 million investment into YPARC centres across regional Victoria.

Planners have requested “earliest possible processing” to meet “urgent timeframes for delivery”, according to application documents.

Barwon Health has an existing six-bed facility in Belmont that accepts referrals of patients aged up to 64, and is available for stays up to 28 days.

That centre provides recovery-based programs including introduction to therapy, distress tolerance and engagement in community programs.

The City of Greater Geelong is advertising the plans for public comment until September 10.