COUNCIL BLOCKS DRUG INJECTING ROOM PLAN

Plans for supervised injecting facilities in Victoria suffered a major
setback last night when Melbourne City Council rejected Wesley City
Mission's proposed injecting room.

The decision came as a shock to Wesley Central Mission, which has spent
$500,000 on the facility and was hoping to open the first legalised
injecting room in Victoria.

But members of the council and the State Government last night criticised
Wesley for its handling of the issue.

Cr Kevin Chamberlin, who moved to reject the proposal, said Wesley had
forced the council into the decision by its use of "spin doctors" in an
effort to influence public opinion at the expense of proper procedure. The
council moved even though it was not required to vote on any proposed
facility until October.

A spokeswoman for Health Minister John Thwaites said last night that Wesley
had been well-meaning, but it was regrettable it did not seem to act in a
collaborative fashion with the council.

The council voted 8-1 against the site on the grounds that it did not
comply with State Government policy in its proximity to residents and
because of the lack of widespread community support.

"If there was any facility that fails the test it is this one," Cr
Chamberlin said. "Their approach has discredited and undermined the process
and they have shown total disregard for the council and community.

"The fact that Wesley have used spin doctors to try and influence public
opinion has forced us to make a decision."

Wesley managing director Judy Leitch said she was shocked by the council's
vote. She said it had pre-empted the outcome of a local drug strategy,
which the council begins developing as part of the Penington report plan
this month.

"It is out of the blue. We were informed that we would be included in the
roundtable process which is due to begin soon," she said.

Ms Leitch said Wesley did not regret its decision to embark on a public
campaign, which included the release of photographs of the completed
$500,000 facility.

"Our intention was to show Melburnians what it looked like and to demystify
the notion of a shooting gallery when it is a health facility."

Mr Thwaites distanced the government from Wesley, criticising the church
for proceeding without first securing the council's support.

His comments came despite the government introducing modified legislation
last week that made it possible for Wesley to meet the required criteria to
set up facilities.

The Hanover site at Southbank remains an alternative location for a
facility, but supporters face an uphill battle to set up a facility in the
central business district.

Mr Thwaites has conceded a facility was unlikely to be supported in
Springvale, while a proposed facility in Footscray is also doubtful. The
most likely sites are in St Kilda and Collingwood, although local Labor
councils are yet to win formal support from residents.

The government is also yet to persuade the Liberal Party to allow the
proposed legislation through the upper house.