Canberra is an important step closer to having its own Residential Treatment Centre for eating disorders at Coombs. The centre will offer a home-like environment for people with eating disorders to live while they receive the support they need to recover.
The establishment of the centre is supported by a Commonwealth Government commitment of $13.5M over three years. The first funding instalment for this was provided to the ACT in the 2021/22 financial year.
Pictured above: Aerial image of the residential treatment centre which will have a neutral natural palate of materials connecting with nature and a homely feel.
About the centre
The centre will offer a therapeutic service that includes specialist, intensive nutritional and psychological treatment in a residential setting.
The specialist residential centre is a new service for the ACT which, once operational, will complement other eating disorder services in the territory such as the Eating Disorders Clinical Hub and form part of the Territory-wide Model of Care for Eating Disorders, which can be found on our publications page.
A location at the eastern end of Madgwick Street in Coombs close to Molonglo River and nature reserves was selected to provide a peaceful calming environment. The centre will outlook green space and a pond, is close to services and within a residential setting offering clients a home-like setting.
Project progress
The final design was prepared by IQon Pty Ltd and Collard Clarke Jackson Architects in consultation with ACT Health and based on advice from clinicians, specialist organisations and people with lived experience. The final design images were released in early June.
Construction began in June and is expected to take around a year to finish.
A Development Application for the centre was lodged on 7 December 2022 and closed on 24 January 2023.
Next steps
Construction will occur between 7:30 am and 4:00 pm from Monday to Friday, occasionally work may occur at other times as needed.
If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing an eating disorder or body image concerns, contact the Butterfly Foundation National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 (ED HOPE) or visit butterfly.org.au
Visit the Eating Disorders Clinical Hub for more information about public eating disorder services currently available in the ACT.
