KINGS CROSS INJECTING ROOM OPPONENTS OFFER SURPRISE ALTERNATIVE SITE

The Kings Cross community group formed to fight Australia's first legal
heroin injecting room has offered an unexpected alternative site - disused
shops in the basement of the upmarket Elan apartment building.

The group, known as the Kings Cross Community Coalition, is expected to
unveil its plan today, just days before the South Sydney Council election.

The sites proposed by the group include a choice of two retail spaces in
the southern side of the Elan building at Craigend Street, a building on
the corner of Earl Place and Earl Street, and the old fire station on
Victoria Street now used by the Kirketon Road Centre.

Another option would involve Kirketon Road methadone clinic moving to the
Elan with the administration of the injecting room site, while the
injecting room would move into Kirketon Road's building in the old fire
station site.

However, it is expected that residents in the Elan building, which soars
146 metres above the Kings Cross tunnel, will oppose, as will residents who
live around Earl Street and Earl Place.

Last night the owner of the two Elan sites, Mr Chris Meehan, said he had
only been approached for an option for "administration uses" and under no
circumstances would he approve the injecting room or methadone clinic plan.

The group plans to poll residents voting in the council poll and will
provide voters at three booths, including St Canice's and St John's, with a
survey form asking that they vote on the alternative sites. The poll will
be provided to the State Government in a bid to move the trial.

The Uniting Church last week lodged its application for an operating
licence to run the 18-month injecting room trial in a disused video game
parlour at 66 Darlinghurst Road.

Final approval rests with the State Government, the Police Commissioner, Mr
Ryan, and the head of NSW Health, Mr Mick Reid.

Last night, a spokesman for the Special Minister for State, Mr Della Bosca,
said the Kings Cross group had been provided with a copy of the legislation
and the strict protocols covering the experiment. "We have not heard
anything back yet," the spokesman said.