June 25, 2014
It’s taken three years of hard work – and much lobbying – but South Burnett CTC’s proposed Heritage Lodge development at Nanango took a giant leap forward today with the handover of land to make the project a reality.
State Treasurer Tim Nicholls travelled to Nanango this morning to personally announce the gifting of the land, at the corner of Gipps and Dalby streets, to the project.
Representatives from South Burnett CTC and Heritage Bank, plus all South Burnett councillors, were on hand for the ceremony.
The Heritage Community Branch Nanango is an official partner in the specialised community housing project, donating a total of $330,000 so far to make it a reality.
When completed, Heritage Lodge will provide long-term accommodation in six duplexes for people with disabilities, however the plan is for it to be developed in stages as money comes available to make it a reality.
The project has overcome several hurdles along the way to get to this point, working its way through title issues which stalled planning, and gathering proof of community support for the development.
Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said South Burnett Regional Council, the trustees for the land, had offered to purchase the block from the State Government for $50,000, half its estimated value.
However, after the State Government announced a policy of making unused Crown Land available for community purposes, Mayor Kratzmann approached Local Government Minister David Crisafulli to see if the Heritage Lodge project would fit these guidelines.
At the same time South Burnett CTC CEO Nina Temperton was also lobbying Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington, who took the project to Treasurer Nicholls.
The pressure from Council and Mrs Frecklington obviously paid off with today’s announcement.
Mrs Frecklington said it was an exciting day for the Nanango community and she admitted that if had not been for Mrs Temperton’s tenacity over the years “we may not have ended up here”.
Mayor Kratzmann also admitted he was “mightily relieved” when Mrs Frecklington rang him to say that the paperwork for the project was on the Treasurer’s desk.
Mrs Temperton said CTC treated its projects like “babies”, but this latest baby had probably had the longest gestation period ever, with a number of heartaches along the way.
“But thanks to you (Mr Nicholls) we are now at the door of the labour ward,” she said.
Extending the analogy, she said it would now be up to Council to supply the bed and surgical instruments.
“It will be up to CTC to give birth with the encouragement of the Heritage Bank as the expectant father holding our hand,” she said.
Mrs Temperton said CTC would be applying for a grant from the Elderly Parent Carer Innovation Trial to “inject some more pain relief” at the birth, if possible.
Mayor Kratzmann told southburnett.com.au Council had set aside money in its Budget to complete the unformed road that runs across the front of the block as well as associated infrastructure.
[UPDATED with correction]
Related articles:
- Still Smiling After A Tough Year
- Heritage Donates $500,000 To Community
- Council, CTC & Heritage Join Together In Housing Project
The Proposed Development
Long road and big congratulations to all involved.