ALECOMM

Strike Force Calendo was established to examine the allegations levelled at Grand Western Lodge, which treats patients with psychological disabilities in the state's central west.

It has operated since 1987 and accommodated 43 people with psychological and intellectual disabilities. The residents were moved out of the Orange facility after the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care launched legal action against licensee Adrian Powell.

The department is prosecuting Mr Powell for allegedly obstructing access to departmental staff.

He has pleaded not guilty.

The matter has been set down for hearing on February 22 and 23 at Orange Local Court.

Attorney General Greg Smith confirmed in an answer to an Opposition question on notice that police have begun an inquiry.

A number of allegations received by police were being examined by the Chifley Local Area Command, while Strike Force Calendo was created to manage the investigation, he said.

"These comprise a variety of incident types, including missing and located persons, alleged assaults, attempted suicides and fire," Mr Smith said.

Mr Smith said a specialist officer trained in obtaining victim statements from vulnerable groups had been appointed.

Grand Western Lodge has been the subject of three reports by the NSW Ombudsman in almost 10 years.

People With Disability, a government-funded advocacy group, is seeking $15 million from the NSW government in damages for the residents.

Disability Services Minister Andrew Constance accused the former State government of ignoring three Ombudsman reports into the Lodge.

"It beggars belief that the former Labor government could sit on its hands while serious allegations were raised by the Ombudsman," he said.