About the building
Why we need a new building
The demand to enter the Buttery’s Therapeutic Community (http://www.buttery.org.au/tc/) far exceeds it’s current capacity. The Buttery campus can only accommodate 28 residents at any one time, with up to a six month waiting list for those wanting to enter The Buttery’s therapeutic community. Plans for the new Buttery site will double our capacity to accept up to 60 residents with 5 residential houses each accommodating 12 people each.
Expanding the current Buttery is not feasible as it is wedged between a main road and the old railway line, restricting any potential to increase beds or add new offices because there is nowhere else to build.
The age of the current Buttery is an ongoing concern, once a recycled milk depot over a century old with add on houses largely built with volunteer labour more than 30 years ago the Buttery is showing her age, requiring constant and sometimes expensive maintenance.
The intent is to make the new Buttery as environmentally sensitive as possible, fostering a wild life reserve/corridor and reforesting part of the property would be two of the ventures that would engage residents in a meaningful work program. The new building is designed to be as eco friendly as possible.
The result will be a much improved working/living environment for both staff and residents, with internal toilets compared to the current situation where staff have to run through the rain to get to the toilet, adequate space for counselling and the simple pleasure of a working space that does not require constant patching up. There will be greater opportunity for vegetable gardening and outdoor activities for residents, plus the inclusion of a sports area and recreational facilities in the community room.
Barry Evans – Director
