Council reclassifies Bonaira

Kiama Council has approved its planning proposal to reclassify the Blue Haven Bonaira land from ‘community’ to ‘operational’.

In introducing the proposal, Mayor Neil Reilly acknowledged the significance of this matter, saying it was probably “the biggest thing we will ever have done in this Council.” However, he affirmed the Council’s authority and responsibility to amend the classification correctly.

Mayor Reilly summarised the issues necessitating reclassification: the land. gested that finalising the reclassification after the proposed subdivision would improve community acceptance.

On the land are residential living and aged care facilities. People have homes and gardens on the property, and vulnerable community members are cared for. In addition, other related businesses are operating on site. It is a commercial enterprise with contracts and licences in place. It’s not appropriate for it to be classified as ‘community’, nor is it appropriate that it has unrestricted public access.

Clr Rice’s proposal was supported by Councillors Keast and Renkema-Lang, but ultimately overruled.

“Had I had a defibrillator and got it on him within the first three minutes of his heart stopping, he would have had a 70 per cent chance of surviving,” Guy says. He believes a defibrillator should be within a close enough proximity that a person can go grab a defibrillator and come back to the person in need, all within 180 seconds.

He applauds Seattle, where defibrillators originated from over 70 years ago, who has a device on every corner and at every shop, restaurant, schools and more, and where CPR and defibrillator courses are mandatory for students and people applying for their car licence.

“In Seattle when someone drops in the street, there are 5 people lined up to do CPR and a couple of defibrillators waiting to go on the persons chest. People have an over 60 per cent survival rate, compared to our 6 per cent here.”

While de defibrillators are simple to use, some training is required so that people feel confident using them in a tough situation.

The 50 local organisations have not only received the defibrillator but will also receive free online training.

Two years ago, Guy helped South Australia pass a bill to make defibrillators mandatory in Government buildings and building over 600 square metres. He says that the rest of Australia is way behind.

“That is the first lot of legislation from a Government which means a defibrillator is mandatory in a certain position. But the crazy thing is that it is not mandatory in schools and gyms.

“We lose 100 people a year on average from fire related incidents and fire extinguishers are mandatory by Government regulation.

“We lost 100 people today from electrical issues with the heart and there is no mandatory reason to have a defibrillator.”

Guy thanks Bendigo Bank for being “so gracious and helpful” in getting more defibrillators in the community.

The number of defibrillators that has been handed out by Bendigo Bank now totals 90, after they gave away 40 in 2021.

By Cassandra Zaucer

After the acquisition, Council did not classify the land, which was an oversight, not a decision. That it was an oversight was confirmed in a letter from the Regional Director of the Department of Planning, further corroborated by the lack of preparation of a plan of management for

It is Council’s policy to sell the land. To proceed with the sale, the land needs to be reclassified as ‘operational’

In response to community concerns, to preserve the cultural heritage associated with Barroul House, Councillor Kathy Rice proposed an amendment, suggesting that the Council subdivide the land, excising the area occupied by Barroul House. Clr Rice sug-

Mayor Reilly assured the community that the current heritage listing of Barroul House would be protected regardless of the property’s sale. He pointed out that other State heritage-listed buildings in Kiama remain protected in a commercial environment.

Councillors Croxford, Draisma, Larkins, Reilly, Brown and Steel supported the proposal to reclassify the land at Blue Haven Bonaira. Councillors Keast, Renkema-Lang and Rice voted against the motion.

by Tracey Henderson