About 120 Western NSW Local Health District staff, at three separate locations in Dubbo, are packing for the move into the former St John’s Primary School that’s deemed more accessible for clients, particularly those reliant on public transport.

Boxes filled with bubble-wrapped items will be desposited in the renovated building next weekend, with staff set to start unpacking on January 23.

The facility will be fully operational by January 30 with an official opening attended by NSW Minister for Mental Health Kevin Humphries scheduled for March.

The mental health, drug and alcohol workforce in Dubbo outgrew Hawthorn Street premises about three-and-half years ago, forcing some staff to move into offices in Macquarie and Brisbane streets.

Talks with current clients, their carers, Aboriginal representatives and the wider community informed them of the move to a more central location, closer to other community services and facilities.

“We expect an increase in the number of clients because the Bultje Street facility in the CBD is more accessible”,” Terry Buckerfield said yesterday when lending a hand with the packing.

As acting regional manager of the Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Services Dubbo and Region, he confirmed that the only thing changing was “location”.

The services would continue to accept walk-in clients along with referrals from government and non-government agencies, courts and doctors, he said.

“The idea of the services is to keep people out of hospital so that we can treat them in the community,” Mr Buckerfield said. “But obviously, if they need hospitalisation, that’s what will happen.” Mr Buckerfield and area business manager Carol Vesey provided insight into the renovation of the building at 41 Bultje Street that now boasts state-of-the-art information and technology, and security systems.

“There’s been a total refurbish inside the building that respects its heritage,” Mr Buckerfield said.

Ms Vesey suggested that the revamped building owned by the Catholic Church would be “great for the morale” of staff currently in “cramped” conditions.

“It’s a really good thing for the community too for us to be able to renovate this historic building,” she said.

Work began on the building in April 2011 with the keys set to be handed over on January 20.

Mr Buckerfield and Ms Vesey yesterday thanked architect David Bloomfield of Geolyse and Rob Lister of BLD Constructions for their efforts in getting the project to completion.

The Western NSW Local Health District advises that 41 Bultje Street will house Regional Management and Administration, the Community Mental Health Service, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, the Specialist Older Persons Mental Health Service, the Community Support Team, the Assessment and Response Team, the Community Drug and Alcohol Service, the Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment program, and the Health Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention Unit.