Locals have expressed concern over the refurbishment facility where former TV presenter Andrew O’Keefe is being treated.
She arrived at Connect Global in Port Stephens on Monday night as part of her bail condition.
Rehabilitation facility where former TV star Andrew O’Keefe is housed. (9 News)
Since then, Port Stephens Council has revealed that “the use of the premises for a rehabilitation center is currently the subject of a court case.”
Connect Global director Ross Pene started the organization in 2013.
His lawyer, Mark Ramsland, told 9News that “the current approval is for short-term accommodation, initially set up as a ‘fishing village'”.
“We’re trying to change the use to make it a permanent accommodation for participants here,” he said.
Patients live in cabins close to the public, using cabins and nearby facilities such as the swimming pool and tennis court.
Former TV presenter Andrew O’Keefe has registered for a rehabilitation facility in NSW. (9News) Patients live in huts close to the public but alcohol is prohibited. (9 News)
A local claimed that residents were consuming alcohol at the site, after old images of Bandidos club members resurfaced on the premises.
Pene denied these allegations.
“There are no alcohol drinks here. There are no drugs here. We do random urine and blood alcohol tests. We do blood alcohol tests every night,” he said.
“If anyone has a positive reading, they’re out. So it’s a strike here and there.”
O’Keefe will spend up to a year at the facility. (9 News)
On Thursday afternoon, police arrived at the facility to check the condition of the bail.
“The difference here is that I think we don’t need a stick, we just need good healthy relationships,” Pene said.
O’Keefe will spend between six and 12 months at the facility.