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 Aged 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 its 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 personnel 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 $200,000 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 in a revenue positive revenue structure.

If Council sells Blue Haven Bonaira it should certainly retain Barroul Houseand its curtilage. 15 of 16 speakers at the inquiry to reclassify 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;

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

In summary;

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.

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.

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.

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.