Residents and Aboriginal campaigners say they have been ignored and sidelined over a decision to build a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in suburban Dubbo.
On Thursday, health officials revealed they had agreed to purchase a site on Spears Drive, but only informed residents the day after the announcement.
Disability support worker Kelly Lew lives right next to the proposed four-hectare site.
Ms Lew said Dubbo desperately needed a drug rehab centre, but neighbours were baffled at the decision to build it in the middle of a residential suburb.
"We were absolutely dumbfounded," Ms Lew said.
"Four hectares isn't going to be enough for a 20-bed rehab centre. It goes to show that they're trying to squeeze it in and it's not enough."
Western NSW Local Health District director Jason Crisp said the site would only hold 16 beds instead of the 20 that were originally planned due to "monetary factors".
Chief executive Mark Spittal said around 40 sites had been considered before the Spears Drive one was chosen.
"It's really important for us that the site could both enable us to have that rural feel and the peaceful, tranquil landscape, but also be close to an urban centre the size of Dubbo," Mr Spittal said.
"Rehabilitation is not just about being in a room with counselling, it's about reintegrating into your wider life."
Jeff Amatto, founder of More Cultural Rehabs Less Jails, said the site was not culturally appropriate.
The Wiradjuri man overcame addiction himself and has spent years leading a campaign for a culturally-based rehab centre near Dubbo.
Mr Amatto said his group was consulted 12 months ago about four proposed sites, but their feedback "fell on deaf ears".
"We said, 'None of these sites are appropriate', and they've gone and done this. Where are the grassroots advocates in this decision?" Mr Amatto said.
"It's nowhere near culturally appropriate; there's no privacy, it's only a stone's throw to the residents, I think they're getting this wrong in so many ways."
Tubba-Gah woman Pam Wells, who has also spent years campaigning for a Dubbo rehab centre, said she was not consulted about the Spears Drive site either.
The Dubbo councillor said she'd been campaigning for a larger, more rural location for people to "heal".
"Being a strong advocate for the rehabilitation centre for many, many years, I'm really disappointed that as a traditional custodian of Dubbo I wasn't able to continue to be a part of that conversation," Cr Wells said.
"It's disappointing that everything's come out without more consultation with community.
"I'm sure if community had a voice at the moment, they would be equally disappointed with the selected location."
Dubbo councillor Josh Black said West Dubbo was poised for further development, meaning the centre would eventually be surrounded by houses.
Dubbo MP Dugald Saunders said the LHD had worked "day and night" to find the best location in Dubbo.
"This isn't about just picking a site and going with it; you have to do all of the due diligence before you get to that point — that's why it's taken such a long time," Mr Saunders said.
"To suggest anything other than the Health team has been doing its absolute best to find the best location is completely disingenuous."
The Dubbo Alcohol and Other Drug Residential Rehabilitation Centre is due to open in 2024.
