A short-term accommodation village could be built on the Sunshine Coast to provide eating disorder and mental health support.
The LNP has promised to deliver eight tiny homes at charity endED at Woombye, if it wins the state election on October 26.
The $1.9 million site would allow endED to help those who want to access support at the House of Hope centre but who do not have a place to stay during the duration of their treatment.
LNP deputy leader Jarrod Bleijie said the investment would make a significant difference.
“(It) will improve access to lifesaving eating disorder treatment services for Queensland patients and families,” he said.
“EndED is pioneering new ways to treat eating and mental health disorders (and) the LNP’s pledge will see eight patients and their families housed at any one time, able to access these award-winning services.”
LNP candidate for Nicklin Marty Hunt said there would be broader benefits.
“Not only will the accommodation support patients of endED, but additional capacity will made available to Connect Kids and victims of family violence through DV Phones services,” he said.
“This, first of its kind, ‘tiny home’ accommodation village is just what’s needed to meet the growing need for onsite treatment.
“This is an award-winning, service that is delivering remarkable results for patients (and) the LNP’s commitment will expand endED’s ability to help more patients and their families.”
Mr Hunt said Labor had not done enough to support mental health in the region.
But the Minister for Health Shannon Fentiman told Sunshine Coast News the state government was committed to providing help to people who need it.
“We’re investing $4 million, more than double what the LNP have committed, for five publicly funded beds on the Sunshine Coast,” she said.
“And this is on top of the $1.6 million we’ve invested this year towards EndED to support people and their families on their road to recovery.
“The fact that the LNP think they can deliver more beds for half the cost shows that this is just another undercooked and underfunded announcement by Jarrod Bleijie and the LNP.”
The state government is boosting the workforce for existing services in the region, as part of a $40 million investment that will also deliver new eating disorder services across Queensland.
It is investing more than $1.9 billion in mental health services around the state.
