Haven Torquay faces continued opposition from residents

TORQUAY residents living near the proposed Haven Torquay site continue to criticise the operator for failing to appropriately engage with the community, but the operator has pushed back against the suggestion.

Expected to open next year, Haven Torquay will be operated by Mind Australia and funded by The Haven Foundation and feature 12 one-bedroom residences for individuals with long-term mental health concerns who are unable to live independently.

The proposed site on Silvereye Street is located about 400m from the YMCA Early Learning Centre and directly across the road from one of Torquay Coast Primary School’s main entrances, which has sparked concern among both parents and neighbours.

Several residents are now calling on Mind Australia and The Haven Foundation to host an open conversation with the community to help alleviate ongoing concerns about the safety of the site and rectify what many suggest has been insufficient community engagement to date, with “no real answers” provided.

Rebecca Fett, who has two children at Torquay Coast Primary School, said the lack of information was perpetuating the community’s fears about the mental health residence.

“We’ve called, we’ve emailed, we’ve asked lots of questions and it’s not just us.

“I think if they were to open a dialogue, it would do a lot to help, hopefully, either alleviate or [allow for interested parties] to share views on both sides.”

Gabrielle Peacock, who lives next to the proposed Silvereye Street site and has three children under the age of 10, said although Mind Australia had a good track record, she remained concerned it was not going to be a “good news story at this particular site”.

She was recently given the opportunity to tour Mind Australia’s Haven Highton residence and discuss aspects of the accommodation with the organisation, but said she felt that several of her concerns had not been addressed.

“We don’t seem to be able to reach an agreement around the fact that while their residents are vulnerable, children in our community are also vulnerable and it is not good planning to put two vulnerable groups in such close proximity to each other to achieve good outcomes.”

Mark Heeney, executive director of housing strategy at The Haven Foundation, confirmed a public forum about the residence was not on the cards.

“We believe that publicly debating the lives, welfare and wellbeing of future residents of Haven Torquay and their right to live in an established residential neighbourhood is inappropriate,” he said.

“An unfiltered public discussion would only serve to further exacerbate mental health-related stigma.”

He said Mind Australia and The Haven Foundation were committed to engaging with the community and would continue to respond to everyone who contacted them directly.

“This includes letterboxing and doorknocking in the area when the residence was announced by the Victorian government in August 2023.

“Since that time, we have met and had conversations with residents and continued to respond to all correspondence received relating to Haven Torquay.”

He said the organisations had been in communication with Torquay Coast Primary School and “diligently provided information” to the Surf Coast Shire council and the state government in response to community queries.

Prospective sites for Haven residences were evaluated with “great care”, Mr Heeney said, and four other Haven residences were situated within 450m to 850m of a primary school “without incident or concern”.

“There is no reason to believe that Haven Torquay would not also operate harmoniously in the community.”