Work began today on the ACT’s residential eating disorder centre in Coombs, after development approval was granted last week.

Emma Davidson, ACT Minister for Mental Health, turned the first sod.

“The new facility would provide a home-like environment with specialised support for people with eating disorders on their recovery journey,” Ms Davidson said. “This inclusive environment will also enable families and carers to support their loved one’s recovery. 

“This important new centre, forms part of the ACT Government’s stepped model of care for eating disorders, which links services together so that people can access the right support at the right time.”

• Draft designs of ACT eating disorder centre released (27 August 2022)
• ACT Residential Eating Disorder Facility to be built in Coombs (9 November 2022)
• Early intervention service for eating disorders coming to ACT (15 December 2022)

The centre is expected to be completed mid-next year.

“Once completed, this centre will address a significant gap in the ACT for people with eating disorders,” Ms Davidson said.

“It will provide Canberrans with eating disorders access to another service that is appropriate for their stage in the recovery journey, that enables them to live well in their community.”

The ACT Government today released images from the final design.

The final design was prepared by Canberra-based builders 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.

Draft designs were unveiled to the public in late 2022.

“These detailed designs for the centre have been carefully created in collaboration with the community and key stakeholders, and were shaped by feedback from the public consultation on the development application,” Ms Davidson said.

IQon have been onsite doing preparatory work since development approval was granted.

The Australian Government provided funding under the Community Health and Hospitals Program.

For more information about the centre, visit: https://www.health.act.gov.au/about-our-health-system/planning-future/new-act-residential-treatment-centre-eating-disorders

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