The main concerns expressed were about safety and security issues around the proposed 20-bed centre, which is subject to a planning permit for an Atkinsons Road, Dennington site. 

The permit is currently before the Warrnambool City Council for consideration. 

Dennington residents said they were distressed about the proposed location, although they said they supported and recognised the need for a residential facility in the region. 

“The location is just not right,” a resident said. 

Odyssey House rehabilitation centre chief executive Stefan Gruenert talked about residential rehabilitation facilities at Lower Plenty and Benalla. 

He said neighbours also had concerns about safety when those facilities were first being established, but noted in the 40 years of the original Odyssey House at Lower Plenty, not once had police been called to the site.

He said the neighbours now supported the facility, and it had not been detrimental to the community.

Two other community meetings have been held, with strong opposition from some members of the Dennington community. 

After those meetings, plans for The Lookout, driven by Western Region Alcohol and Other Drug centre, were amended to include extra security measures including limited opening windows, silent exit door alarms and upping the number of staff who would be at the facility overnight from one to two.  

Police Superintendent Peter Greaney, Inspector Gary Coombes, Western Region Alcohol and other Drug (WRAD) director Geoff Soma and The Lookout steering committee chair Glenys Phillpot also spoke at the forum.

The community has raised $600,000 for the facility, and WRAD has also committed $600,000.

The steering committee is seeking state and federal government funding to establish and run the rehabilitation facility.

The community can submit a submission to the Warrnambool City Council in regards to the planning application before it comes before councillors.