Luxury rehab facility blames community opposition as it drops court case, leaves town

A luxury rehabilitation facility that was operating on a property south of Sydney without council consent is closing down following community backlash. 

Highlands Recovery, owned by Paracelsus Health Pty Ltd, was offering tailored treatment programs for trauma, mental health issues and addiction at a cost of up to $25,000 a week. 

It operated out of a multimillion property on the outskirts of Bowral and applied to change the development application (DA) mid last year from an existing dwelling to a group home.

Highlands Recovery started seeing patients onsite before Wingecarribee Shire Council refused its application in October on the basis the 2 hectare property was not a suitable location for a luxury rehabilitation facility. 

Nearby residents upheld many concerns, including increased traffic, and noise, and the potential risks associated with having vulnerable people wandering their neighbourhood. 

Following the council's decision, the business said in a statement it had moved to a hotel in Moss Vale about 13 kilometres from Bowral. 

Highlands Recovery attempted to fight the decision in the NSW Land and Environment Court but dropped the case last week. 

The council said it agreed to a discontinuation of the court matter. 

"Therefore, the DA previously refused by Wingecarribee Local Planning Panel stands," council said. 

Highlands Recovery said it had also made the "very difficult decision" to stop offering its service in the region. 

"At this time, we do not have any plans to continue offering luxury trauma or rehabilitation services from the region or elsewhere," the statement said. 

Patient care out of a hotel

While the Land and Environment Court matter was underway, Highlands Recovery said it continued patient care out of Moss Manor, a boutique art hotel in Moss Vale. 

"[This was] solely to fulfil its obligations to existing clients already in the program," the statement read.

"This was a short-term measure during the run-off phase, and we voluntarily concluded operations shortly thereafter."

Moss Manor did not want to officially comment on the matter. 

Highlands Recovery confirmed it had not gone bankrupt.

"The commercial realities of being unable to operate from the Southern Highlands made it unsustainable to continue," the company said.

More than 20 staff and their clients are set to be affected, with the business laying blame on the local community.

"It is unfortunate that the lack of a supportive environment in the Bowral region has resulted in the closure of this much-needed service."

The Bowral Action Group, formed to oppose Highlands Recovery's DA proposal, said it was "delighted" the business had dropped the court matter. 

Highlands Recovery is not among the list of accredited NSW Health-funded alcohol and other drug rehabilitation services. 

The Bowral Action Group has called on members of the NSW government to "urgently review current legislation" and "take immediate action" to regulate privately owned rehabilitation services.