Karratha step-up, step-down facility still in limbo after five years of planning

The City of Karratha is intensifying its appeal to the State Government to advance the establishment of a crucial Step Up Step Down facility within the city. Originally proposed by the Mental Health Commission in 2013, initial funding for the project was earmarked in the 2015/16 State Budget. In response to community concerns regarding the initially proposed site by the MHC in 2017, the City undertook a comprehensive review, shortlisting alternative locations. Ultimately, a site on Gregory Way site was selected by the MHC in 2018. Subsequent community consultations were conducted in 2018, culminating in the City transferring the preferred site on Gregory Way to the MHC in 2019. In late November, the MHC representatives visited Karratha and conducted a public meeting to engage with the community on the SUSD project. Despite previous consultations, the MHC communicated to the City that additional community and stakeholder engagement was pending. Expressing concern over the lack of progress, City of Karratha Mayor Daniel Scott emphasised the critical need for a Step Up Step Down facility in Karratha. “There are currently no services of a similar nature available in our city, and this leaves members of our communities dealing with changes to their mental health to face their struggles alone,” he said. “Council has long been supportive of a Step Up Step Down facility in Karratha because of the community’s need for one, and while there have been delays due to legislative requirements, we’re calling on the State Government to progress the Step Up Step Down Facility.” In response to the City’s calls, Mental Health Commissioner Maureen Lewis said she understood the community’s frustration. “We’re in the process of finalising design development for the SUSD facility through community engagement and consultation, to consider options that meet the needs of the local community,” she said. “Feedback from 2017 Karratha community consultations resulted in the Commission agreeing not to locate a SUSD on a previously proposed site in Karratha. “Following initial discussions in 2018, we negotiated with the City of Karratha to secure an alternative site at Gregory Way, resulting in the purchase of the land in November 2021. “We are currently working with the Department of Health on a construction timeline, which will include further local community consultation.”