02 May 2018 Wangaratta Chronicle, Wangaratta VIC (General News) by Shane Douthie Wangaratta chosen for new residential rehabilitation centre A 30-BED alcohol and other drugs residential rehabilitation centre for the Hume region will be built in Wangaratta. The announcement came in yesterdays state budget with Wangaratta one of three regional centres chosen to share in the $40 million funding. For members of the Local Drug Action Team and the families who have loved ones affected by alcohol and other drugs desperate for a local residential rehabilitation centre, it was the news they had been waiting for. Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria), who has advocated for Wangaratta to be the location of the new centre in the Hume region, was also overjoyed. Given the people of Wangarattas passion for addressing this blight on their community and their willingness to open their arms to help those affected, I always thought Wangaratta was the best community for this centre and also for its central geographical location, Ms Symes told the Wangaratta Chronicle. Funding for the purchase of land for the centres was allocated in last years state budget. Wherever you live in North East Victoria, this is a Labor budget that delivers on the things that matter new skills, good jobs, more schools and better roads, Ms Symes said. This Labor budget is about boosting training opportunities, creating jobs and making sure that North East Victoria is a great place to live. Whether its rebuilding TAFE after the Coalition smashed it, upgrading local schools or fixing our roads, were getting things done. More budget news page 3Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.