{"id":226799,"date":"2019-01-25T17:18:49","date_gmt":"2019-01-25T07:18:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=226799"},"modified":"2020-07-25T10:46:37","modified_gmt":"2020-07-25T00:46:37","slug":"blackbutt-throws-down-50000-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2019\/01\/25\/blackbutt-throws-down-50000-challenge\/","title":{"rendered":"Blackbutt Throws Down $50,000 Challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Blackbutt-Benarkin Aged Care Association president Jeff Connor at Scott Haven … the association needs to raise $50,000 by June 30 to build a $421,000 addition to the complex<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

January 25, 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Blackbutt-Benarkin Aged Care Association (BBACA) has a difficult challenge … it needs to raise $50,000 in five months to make a $421,500 aged-care project a reality.<\/p>\n

If they can raise the money by June 30th, the group will build a pair of two-bedroom independent living units at the Scott Haven complex in Blackbutt’s Hart Street.<\/p>\n

But if they can’t, they may have to abandon the much-needed community housing project they’ve already laboured over for several years.<\/p>\n

Even more heartbreakingly, it would be a project where they’ve already raised 88 per cent of the funds and just need the final 12 per cent to get over the line.<\/p>\n

At present, Scott Haven has four single-bedroom duplex units and a house which provide affordable accommodation for aged people who don\u2019t own their own home and can\u2019t afford to live in the private rental market.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Most South Burnett towns have had similar facilities for decades.<\/p>\n

But until BBACA took up the challenge, Blackbutt had none.<\/p>\n

This meant that elderly Timbertowners had nowhere to turn if they wanted to remain in the area with their established social network.<\/p>\n

Right now, the existing units at Scott Haven are occupied by aged singles.<\/p>\n

But the new units will allow the group to offer accommodation to aged couples, too.<\/p>\n

Two years ago BBACA applied to the Federal Government for funding to help make the project a reality.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In July 2017, they were awarded a $204,740 grant from the Building Better Regions Fund for slightly less than half the cost on the proviso BBACA raise a matching or higher amount.<\/p>\n

In the 18 months since the Federal funding announcement – thanks to diligent fundraising drives and donations – they have put together almost $167,000.<\/p>\n

But they still need a further $50,000 before June 30 to ensure the project is built before their Federal grant lapses.<\/p>\n

“Plans have been finalized and local builders Ian and Cathy from Gilliland Homes will build the units,” BBACA president Jeff Connor said.<\/p>\n

“They’ll be using local tradies on the project, so most of this money will flow back through our communities.<\/p>\n

“We’ve set the timelines for a December build completion, but we still have a $50,000 shortfall in the budget.<\/p>\n

“So this is a time where we really need the community’s help.”<\/p>\n

Jeff said $50,000 might sound like a daunting figure, but it wasn’t an impossible one.<\/strong><\/p>\n

“If 100 locals donated $100 per month for five months we would have the $50,000,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Or if every home in Blackbutt donated just $10 a month for a year we could raise that much, too.<\/p>\n

“But that’s too simple.”<\/p>\n

Instead, he’d like Timbertowns residents, businesses and organizations to commit to do one or more of the following:<\/strong><\/p>\n