Autism Plus has leased the former Reg Geary House from Melton council after the Brookfield building had sat empty for a year.
The organisation, which supports people with autism, took up the lease in July. Since then, it has set up music and sensory art programs and sport facilities for 18 adults and is giving full-time accommodation to one young man.
A Melton council spokeswoman said the centre had also set up other activities, including visits to local sports facilities, use of public transport, accessing venues of cultural significance and teaching people how to use places such as local libraries.
“Recreational and respite supports are provided on a fee-for-service,” she said.
“While we focus on providing support to people [on] the Autism Spectrum Disorder, people with other disabilities are welcome to request support.”
Melton mayor Sophie Ramsey said she was pleased the property, at 54 Pinnacle Street, was being used again.
The former Reg Geary House was built on council-owned land and leased to Western Health for an aged-care nursing home until it was closed in June last year.
At the time, Star Weekly reported a nurse who worked at the aged-care centre said she didn’t want to see the vacant building become a fire and safety hazard.
“What is going to happen to an empty building?” she asked. “You may end up with squatters and there have been problems with drug use in the area.”
For more information about Autism Plus, call 1300 428 847.
