Family violence

By Casey Neill
FAMILIES in The Basin are seething after Knox Council gave the green light to a domestic violence centre in their residential street.
Department of Human Services last December applied to use the home at 20 Augusta Road as an Indigenous Healing Centre for family violence victims and perpetrators. Objectors booed and jeered Chandler Ward councillor John Mortimore as he spoke in support of the proposal at the council’s 28 April meeting.
Cr Mortimore said he was pleased with the reaction.
“I do understand their frustrations. They have a very, very strong emotional case,” he said.
“The problem is they don’t have a strong planning case.”
He moved several restrictions as planning permit conditions.
DHS must agree not to use the site as a drop-in centre, crisis accommodation, crisis intervention or halfway house.
Those receiving treatment must do so voluntarily, and operating hours are limited.
Cr Mortimore said the permit was a victory for commonsense and for the community.
He said the applicant would have appealed a permit refusal and was likely to be successful.
“Then we would have no control over future use,” he said.