The following is a letter from Councillor Mark Croxford, JP in response to an ‘Open letter to Councillors from Sandra McCarthy OAM and Howard R Jones’, republished with permission.

Dear Sandra and Howard,

Thank you for your letter regarding the future of BlueHaven. Your engagement and concerns are appreciated.

Council has resolved to sell the BlueHaven Residential Aged Care Facility. Personally, I hold the view that Council should not be involved in managing either Residential Aged Care or Independent Living Units. The circumstances under which BlueHaven was established in the 1980s have dramatically evolved. Changes in federal aged care legislation, heightened accreditation and compliance requirements, and the findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care have significantly altered the landscape of aged care management.

My personal connection to BlueHaven, particularly the memories of my mother's final days in the Mackellar Ward, are deeply meaningful to me.

However, as an elected representative of our community, my duty is to make decisions based on the broader welfare of all residents, ratepayers, and business owners. 

Operating BlueHaven detracts from our ability to provide the essential Council services that our community expects and deserves.

In this context, I will not be supporting your call to pause the process currently underway, nor any action that would result in instigating an independent review into the sequence of decisions. 

I believe the current path is the most responsible and prudent course of action for our community's future.

Please be assured that my position is guided by a commitment to the overall progress and welfare of our municipality, balancing the practical considerations with the emotional aspects of this matter.

Regards

Mark