Sunshine Coast, Queensland — A new short-term accommodation village may soon be established on the Sunshine Coast to provide support for individuals battling eating disorders and mental health issues. The Liberal National Party (LNP) has pledged to construct eight tiny homes at the charity endED in Woombye, contingent on their success in the upcoming state election on October 26.
With a budget of $1.9 million, the initiative aims to assist those seeking treatment at the House of Hope center who lack a place to stay during their recovery. LNP deputy leader Jarrod Bleijie emphasized the importance of this investment, stating it would significantly enhance access to essential eating disorder treatment services for Queensland patients and their families.
“EndED is pioneering new ways to treat eating and mental health disorders, and the LNP’s pledge will accommodate eight patients and their families at any given time, allowing them to benefit from these award-winning services,” Bleijie said.
LNP candidate for Nicklin, Marty Hunt, highlighted the broader implications of the project, noting that the accommodation would not only support endED patients but also create additional capacity for organizations like Connect Kids and victims of domestic violence through DV Phones services.
“This first-of-its-kind ‘tiny home’ accommodation village is precisely what we need to address the growing demand for onsite treatment. This award-winning service is achieving remarkable results, and the LNP’s commitment will enable endED to help even more patients and their families,” Hunt added.
In response to the LNP’s proposal, Labor Health Minister Shannon Fentiman criticized the opposition for insufficient action on mental health issues in the region. She announced that the state government is investing $4 million—more than double the LNP’s commitment—to provide five publicly funded beds on the Sunshine Coast.
Fentiman also noted that the state government is enhancing the workforce for existing mental health services as part of a broader $40 million investment aimed at expanding eating disorder services across Queensland. Overall, the state is committing over $1.9 billion to bolster mental health services throughout Queensland.
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