LNP election promise: Bayside Transformations drug and alcohol rehab to get $250,000

A critical drug and alcohol rehab at the centre of successive election campaign battles but still without crucial government funding will get a boost under the LNP, Hervey Bay’s candidate has promised.

A drug and alcohol rehabilitation will get some of the money it needs to literally keep a roof over residents’ heads should the LNP win government later this month.

The $250,000 pledge to replace the corrugated iron roof, external guttering and downpipes on the two main buildings at the ageing Torquay Terrace site (once a Baptist church camp) was made by former Fraser Coast councillor and LNP candidate David Lee on Friday.

Bayside Transformations has long called for government funding to continue its work, upgrade its campus and help bring a much-needed detox centre to Hervey Bay but has been left wanting for State Government help because of its Christian foundations and links to Bayside Christian Church.

Residents must complete a gruelling, 12-month stay and while Centrelink payments can contribute to their costs, the majority of funds come from community fundraising and ongoing support from the business and church communities as well as the centre’s onsite vegetable production business (which supplies to multiple local clubs).

Bayside Transformations – CEO Tina Davie and her team showing off some of the produce made at their new vegetable garden.

Funds are also raised via the Transformations op shop which suffered a devastating blow when the shed housing donated items was destroyed by fire earlier this year.

Bayside Transformations Executive Director Tina Davie said many residents had previously lived on the streets or in “substandard accommodation” and “having modern fit for purpose home-like accommodation facilities (the existing roofing has extensive surface rust and leaks during heavy rain) is integral to their recovery from addiction”.

A charity op-shop's storage shed has gone up in flames in an overnight fire. Picture: Bayside Transformations

Mr Lee, who is open about his own Christian faith and links to the Hervey Bay Baptist Church and Bayside Christian College, said he had seen first-hand the success stories – some of which were covered by this publication as it followed the recovery journeys of the men and women, many of whom were tied up in crime and headed for jail or death before entering the program.

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“Bayside Transformations is a well-respected non-for-profit addiction recovery and rehabilitation service, that is critical to the health and wellbeing of our community,” he said.

Hervey Bay LNP candidate David Lee has pledged $250,000 to Bayside Transformations.

“I have always supported Bayside Transformations and the wonderful work they do in our community.

“If elected, I will continue to strongly advocate for Bayside Transformations.

In the wake of the fire and also, amid ongoing rent costs, the rehab is now fundraising to build an op shop onsite and continues to advocate for an independent detox centre.

Originally published as LNP election promise: Bayside Transformations drug and alcohol rehab to get $250,000