Salvation Army upgrades Selah Farm

The Salvation Army has plans to modernise and renovate its drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre, Selah Farm, on Berkeley Rd, Fountaindale.

Refurbishing and upgrading of all the existing accommodation will include conversion of shared rooms to single rooms with their own ensuites, rather than central bathrooms.

Although this will increase the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the overall number of residents will decrease from 40 to 30.

A Statement of Environmental Effects with the development application (DA 686/2021) says the proposed renovations are more appropriate from a health perspective since COVID-19 for residents to have their own individual amenities.

Selah Farm comprises two separate buildings.

The two storey building has accommodation, dining, leisure and counselling spaces as well as administration areas.

There will be a new lift to the first floor, a makeover for the common areas, group program spaces, administration areas, the addition of lounge areas and new covered outdoor spaces.

All the external windows and doors will be replaced to ensure compliance with bushfire hazard reduction measures.

Community submissions about the DA will be accepted by Central Coast Council until August 20.

Sue Murray