The project, which has divided the small community of Molyullah, was brought before council at its meeting on Wednesday, August 25.
With several speakers for — and against — the proposal, the council took feedback on board and had to make a decision that would be popular with some, and unpopular with others.
The meeting heard from 10 speakers, including local farmers and landholders, and people associated with the facility, and its successful Circuit Breaker rehabilitation program.
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Andrew Muller farms on an adjoining property.
Mr Muller said his objection was based on the new buildings being 68 metres from his boundary.
“The buildings there now are over 200 meters away,” he told the meeting.
“I can't have a stockfeed... within 100 meters of a residence. But you can consider a... facility 68 meters from an active farm...
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“Like an uneasy truce, we have coexisted (with Odyssey House). Now that truce has been broken.”
Laurie Horn lives in Molyullah and said he was concerned about the town losing its character, which he said he had seen in a similar small town that was now home to a jail.
He said he was also concerned about prisoners being transferred from jail and forced to stay at Odyssey House.
Odyssey House chair Stephen Grant confirmed the only people who were accepted onto the Circuit Breaker program were those who had asked to take part, were self-motivated to change, and who were extensively vetted before being accepted.
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Odyssey House manager Stephen Hicks spoke next, firstly responding to Mr Horn who also questioned what Odyssey House had done for the local community.
“We feel very proud of the work we've done locally, in Benalla, in Tatong, and up in Wangaratta,” Mr Hicks said.
“We’ve formed good relationships with the Equestrian Centre… If any of you have children or adults who are a part of the pony club, or who have competed in adult competition, or even at the Benalla show, you’ll have had your dressage rings and show-jumps set up by our residents.
“They have also acted as marshals in some of those competitions.
“We've had residents running the line at the Tatong football club when it existed, and one of our members of staff was a president of that club for a while.
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“We’ve been down at Reef Hills... removing rubbish. We've removed thousands of items.
“We’ve also worked with the regent honey eater project and the Winton turtle project.”
Mr Hicks also confirmed the vast majority of residents came from the local area.
“We're not bussing people in from Footscray,” he said.
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“The people who come to Circuit Breaker are our neighbours.”
The item was discussed for some time with passionate speakers both for and against.
Once it went to a vote, the expansion was green lit unanimously.
● If you would like to hear more on this from the speakers, and councillors, the council meeting is available online via www.benalla.vic.gov.au
If you would like to send a letter to the editor on this, or any subject, click this link
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