Andrew Forrest digs deep for charity
ANDREW "Twiggy" Forrest is helping to build a house and it's all for a good cause.
ANDREW "Twiggy" Forrest is helping to build a house and it's all for a good cause.
For the first time, a charity home will be auctioned in the booming Pilbara and, be it ever so humble, its regional-hotbed location is expected to help attract bids of about $1.5 million.
Children's charity Variety WA will be the net beneficiary when the property is auctioned on August 4. It got a boost when LandCorp, "Twiggy'' Forrest's Fortescue Metals and Custom Construction came on board not to mention some 40 local companies and tradespeople who have donated time and services.
The four-bedroom, two-bathroom house is being built in Port Hedland's new Pretty Pool Estate, on a 693sq m block provided at a charity discount and flexible settlement terms by LandCorp.
It will feature bamboo flooring and a big, open-plan living area flowing to an outdoor area and pool.
Fortescue has stumped up an interest-free loan of up to $400,000, which a spokeswoman said allowed the charity to procure essential materials and labour not otherwise donated to the project, without any hard costs being incurred. The loan will be repaid out of proceeds from the sale of the home.
But given the high-profile mining magnate's involvement in the project, it will be interesting to see whether his company dips its hand into its rather deep pockets to buy the property anyway, or whether other mining honchos will be nudged into making bids to help the cause.
Mr Forrest declined to comment. But Fortescue external relations director Deidre Willmott said: "We're committed to supporting communities in the Pilbara, home to many of our employees and contracting partners. We are proud to have sponsored such a worthwhile project and congratulate Variety WA, Custom Construction and all of the companies and tradespeople involved.''
The net proceeds will help Variety WA empower WA and local Pilbara children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs.
* The auction will be on site, 84 Styles Rd, Port Hedland, at 11am on August 4.