Main building works of the new Residential Eating Disorders Treatment Centre in Newcastle, New South Wales (NSW), Australia are in progress.

Estimated to cost A$13m ($8.3m), the 12-bed, two-storey centre is said to be the first publicly available facility of its type in NSW.

It will provide specialised care for individuals with eating disorders while accepting referrals from all local health districts in the state.

NSW mental health minister Rose Jackson said: “Eating disorders are extremely complex illnesses and this new facility will ensure people living with this debilitating illness have access to the services they need to heal.

“An increasing number of Australians each year are impacted by eating disorders, the new facility will give them access to a specialist service that can addresses all aspects of their recovery.”

The centre will feature a residential wing, clinic rooms and spaces to offer round-the-clock intensive support in an ambience similar to home.

It aims to address the complexity of eating disorders by providing psychological support, medical interventions, recovery support, and relapse prevention strategies.

The facility will be financed by the Commonwealth Government's Community Health and Hospitals Program.

Member of the Legislative Council Emily Suvaal said: “As someone with lived experience I want to help change the dialogue on community mental health and the importance of providing specialised support services and improving the options available.

“These experiences can be incredibly confronting and isolating, especially for so many young people going through treatment.

“It is vital that the facilities are designed with a semblance of home to provide as much comfort as possible.”