Queensland Health has announced the appointment of Lives Lived Well as the service provider for a new adult Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Residential Treatment Service in Ipswich, following an open-market procurement process.
The new state-of-the-art facility will provide 36 residential rehabilitation beds and a 10-bed withdrawal unit for the West Moreton region once it opens by the end of the year.
It will play a critical role in improving the health and wellbeing of clients, ensuring they can access the expert care and support they need to recover and rebuild their lives.
This service will have wide ranging benefits for the local community, including less strain on families and carers, improved community safety, and reduced pressure on local hospitals and emergency services.
Participation in this service is voluntary and will also deliver important benefits for clients, including:
- Reducing experiences of AOD-related harm
- Improving health and wellbeing
- Receiving care in a home-like environment with follow up support on leaving
It is one of three new purpose-built AOD residential treatment services being delivered by Queensland Health’s capital program outlined in this year’s State Budget, including another adult service in Bundaberg, which opened in March 2025 and a 10-bed service in Cairns for young people, scheduled to open later this year.
West Moreton Health Chief Executive Hannah Bloch said the service was expected to have a profoundly positive impact on the lives of the program participants and their loved ones.
“This will be a life-changing service for people who would benefit from live-in treatment and access to a range of therapeutic activities in a supported, structured environment,” Ms Bloch said.
“Ipswich is one of the fastest growing regions in Queensland and it’s essential West Moreton Hospital and Health Service has the support and facilities it needs to deliver healthcare services to the region.
This critically important service addresses a gap for residential care in the community and we’re proud to partner with Lives Lived Well to help more people access support when they need it most.”
Residential rehabilitation and withdrawal services benefit communities by offering more structured treatment, supporting individuals to make positive behavioural changes that reduces their risk of alcohol and drug related harm and reduces stress on families.
Lives Lived Well CEO Mitchell Giles said they’re honoured to partner with Queensland Health and West Moreton Hospital and Health Service to bring this state‑of‑the‑art residential AOD treatment service to Ipswich.
“With more beds and a dedicated withdrawal unit right here in the region, people can access expert, evidence‑based care close to home, surrounded by community support and the right team beside them,” Mr Giles said.
“This new facility will also ease pressure on families, carers and our hospitals, giving more Queenslanders the confidence and resources they need to rebuild their lives with confidence.”
Operational funding for these new services is part of a more than $226 million committed over five years under the Mental Health Levy set aside to establish new AOD services.
This includes expanding access to specialist mental health alcohol and other drug treatment across the state, ensuring that all Queenslanders have better and earlier access to more structured and intensive treatment they need, closer to home.
The Ipswich facility will be owned by West Moreton Hospital and Health Service, with Lives Lived Well delivering alcohol and other drug treatment services under a formal agreement with Queensland Health.
Construction of the new $33 million facility is on track with service commencement expected from late 2025.
This statement was released by Queensland Health.