Having closely followed the proposal by the current Kiama Council to sell the Council owned Blue

Haven Bonaira retirement complex I feel it pertinent to make the following observations.

Kiama Council has for more than 40 years (prior to 2020) conducted a very successful retirement

operation known as Blue Haven Age Care Facility (Nursing Home) and Retirement Village, Terralong

Street, with absolute minimum cost to ratepayers.

This establishment was the pride of the Community and earned acclaim far and wide.

Kiama’s reputation in caring for it’s community in Community Health and retirement living was such

that Emeritus Mayor Sandra McCarthy was invited to speak at various seminars both in Australia and

overseas.

Over 70% of those who were either living in one of 1 of 5 independent living buildings or were

residents in the nursing home were Kiama Residents.

Blue Haven Terralong was managed by key personal responsible to the Blue Haven Advisory Board

which in turn reported to Council. The Board included a number of highly respected local residents.

In addition to the above mentioned Council provided a wide range of community services, including

Community Transport, Community Nursing, the Community Centre and Community Option advice,

all under the same umbrella, making Kiama an ideal place for people to retire.

Over the years a Blue Haven Auxiliary (‘Friends of Blue Haven’) worked tirelessly to provide various

items for the nursing home not available through other funding channels. This volunteer group,

through the Annual Blue Haven Fete and other activities raised an amount estimated in excess of

$200,00 over the years for this purpose.

Independent Living establishments, by virtue of the NSW Government Legislation under which they

operate and the financial benefit obtained when units are on sold reflecting Real Estate price

increases, means the establishment operates as a revenue positive business.

If Council sells Blue Haven Bonaira it should certainly retain Barroul Houseand its curtilage.

15 of 16 speakers at the inquiry to reclassification the land to enable it to be sold spoke against the

sale with extremely strong opposition to the sale of Historic Barroul House.

The Commonwealth Grant of $1.4m purpose of restoring Barroul House was explicit in

the future use of Barroul House and its curtilage.

As taken from a previous letter to Council and the Bugle these included;

a. The Proposal will maximise the public access to Barroul House providing a safe

entrance and use, and enhance the community engagement of the project and

understanding of Barroul house.

b. The vision for Barroul House precinct is to be arts, cultural and community hub, helping

to overcome social isolation in our ageing population and provide opportunities for children

and ageing to link together in a community setting.

c. Council will liaise with the Local Wodi Wodi Indigenous people to create a sensory and

indigenous garden that tells the story of the local indigenous community in a landscaped

and engaging way. It would combine plants, landscaping ie pathways, story boards and

opportunities for touch, smell, and taste our indigenous food.

What a wonderful asset this currently is for Kiama.

What a pity it is if this is lost.

What does the sale of Blue Haven Bonaira really mean.

A NSW Government condition included in the sale of the site to Council was that it was to be used

for retirement purposes until 2027. This is now only 3 years away!

The purchaser of the Blue Haven Bonaira would then be in a position to do as it likes including

building several hundred apartments. Council would have no say.

What a windfall!

Should this occur, Kiama would be left without a nursing home for its predominately ageing

residents.

Family and friends of those requiring nursing home care would have to travel to Gerringong (if a bed

became available) or much further afield to visit their loved ones.

164(?) nursing home beds would be lost in the Illawarra.

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Option 1 Council should retain ownership of Blue Haven Bonaira and appoint staff to manage

BLUE HAVEN in its entirety.

This is currently not a preferred option of Council.

In summary, my proposal.

Option 2 Council retain ownership of the Independent Living establishment, including

Matterson Hall, Barroul House and its curtilage and SELL the Nursing Home to a not

for profit registered retirement provider.

The issues of access and parking could be accommodated on the Deposited Plan of

subdivision.

Barroul House ‘coffee shop’ could be leased with a committee appointed to oversee

the activities proposed above.

This would ensure Council own the major part of the site and would control the future

of the site. (This could readily be accommodated by Subdivision of the site.)

Option 2 ;

1. Ensures Council maintains control of the site into the future.

2. Council receives a considerable financial return upfront through the sale of the

nursing home and derive a substantial annual income from the remainder.

3. Residents in Independent Living Units at Terralong Street and Bonaira are subject

to similar condition, both being in Council ownership. The occupants of Blue Haven

Bonaira ILU’s would be comforted knowing their future is secure.

4. Barroul House and its curtilage meet the purpose of the Government Grant.

5. Option 2 allays Council’s concerns regarding the management of a nursing home.

6. Preserves a future Nursing Home facility for Kiama residents in their own town.

7. Addresses the concerns of the United Services Union re its members employment.

8. The Recognition of Local Indigenous is preserved and enhanced.

I am committed to obtaining the best outcome for Blue Haven Bonaira and I feel the

option to retain ownership is the preferred option of the wider community.

This is evident by the fact that 15 out of 16 prominent respected individuals spoke

strongly against the sale at the inquiry to reclassify the land to enable sale.

NOEL EDGELL

Former 14 year(1987 – 2000) Director of Engineering , Kiama Municipal Council.

Footnote; Council could include the sale of the Nursing Home in current negotiations with the

preferred tenderer.