Funding lift for Blackbutt aged care

BLACKBUTT will soon be home to two new self contained aged care units, with the Federal Government providing more than $200,000 for the project.

FUNDING BOOST: Blackbutt Aged Care Association president Jeff Connor has welcomed the new Federal Government funding. Picture: Tobi Loftus

BLACKBUTT will soon be home to two new self contained aged care units, with the Federal Government providing more than $200,000 for the project.

Blackbutt Benarkin Aged Care president Jeff Connor said he was pleased "little old Blackbutt was able to pick up over $200,000”.

"There are absolutely zero two bedroom individual independent living units in Blackbutt, there are no duplexes, there are no town houses, the only units are the three single complexes that make up Scotthaven,” Mr Connor said.

"The impact will be that instead of downsizing to another location, there will be a small number of options in Blackbutt.

"Options range from husband and wife to a carer live-in scenario and more, these options weren't available before. People who like Blackbutt, who have a need to downsize, they can stay in the community.”

Mr Connor said the association hoped to have the units, which will be located near Hart St, up and running within the next 18 months to two years.

"It's a dollar for dollar grant so we have to find the other $200,000,” he said.

Development Minister Fiona Nash said the funding application came from the Federal Government's Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF).

"After a competitive merit-based selection process, Federal Government funding has been approved for this project under the BBRF's Infrastructure Projects Stream to deliver priority projects throughout regional Australia,” Ms Nash said.

"I aim to help build the kinds of regional communities our children and grandchildren either want to stay in or come back to. Today's announcement provides just the sort of boost the South Burnett needs to achieve that goal.”

Maranoa MP David Littleproud said the $204,740 funding injection would facilitate care for seniors who are from a rural or remote region or are financially or socially disadvantaged.

"The association identified the need for this capital works project to provide secure, stable and affordable housing for seniors who don't own their own home - that's why this funding is so special as it's going to help our seniors stay in the region they love,” Mr Littleproud said.