The Bugle 30 November 2019
A fortnightly celebration of people and places on the Upper South Coast of NSW Serving the communities of Kiama, Gerringong, Jamberoo, Kiama Downs, Minnamurra and Gerroa and now at www.thebugleonline.com
Blue Haven Bonaira opens its doors The Open Day at Blue Haven Bonaira attracted 2000 visitors, four to five times as many as expected, as locals took the opportunity to inspect the state of the art complex. A $106 million facility, servicing an aged care home for 134 residents and 58 independent living units, Blue Haven Bonaira is the largest single building project undertaken by an Australian council in recent years. Residents of the existing care home will be moving in over three days in midDecember, with the first independent living unit residents also moving in during that week. Barroul House, the original homestead, and part of the old Kiama Hospital, has been restored as a café for residents and visitors (due to open before Christmas). There’s also a community hall (named after Tony Matterson, the General Manager who established Blue Haven forty years ago), a wellness centre, a hairdressing salon, specialist consulting rooms,
and meeting rooms for residents and Blue Haven community services programs and activities. The Open Day followed the Official Opening on 22 November, which recognised the funding support of the Australian and NSW governments. The Federal Government contributed $1.4 million for the refurbishment of historic Barroul House, and $2.4 million for the community hall and meeting rooms. The State Government contributed a total of $14.8 million. “People were very impressed with what has been achieved,” says Mayor Mark Honey. Federal Member Fiona Phillips and State Member Gareth Ward were on hand to cut the opening ribbon with Mayor Mark Honey “There is a lot of interest in the ballot of the final eight units, above the community hall.” The ballot is on 3 December. The Bugle put the call out for a special correspondent to give a local’s first impression of the new complex. Kiama Council is in negoCandy Andersen volunteered, tiations to buy 98 Terralong and her report follows. As Street, a property adjoining you’ll see, she was impressed. its existing strategic holding in the Kiama CBD. The 504m2 site is to the east of its Mitre 10 holding (currently the Kiama Collective), and provides laneway access to its Akuna Street lead to several modern, site. It would add to the roomy, communal dining 4961m2 already consolidated and relaxation areas where by Council, and increase plush sofas and arm-chairs the frontage onto Terralong covered in vibrant fabrics Street by more than ten metres. enliven the spirit and large “Having that sized street flat screen televisions and appropriate for the facade of landholders in the street,” gas heaters ensure comfort. frontage will enable us to Terralong street, and provide says Mayor Mark Honey. Continued on p6 an inspiration for the other Continued on p12 do a redevelopment that is
Read about Warren’s great idea p 3
Southern Phone a better investment than Telstra p3
Celebrate Terra Madre Day p 5
Council looks to expand CBD holdings
A local resident’s first impressions Spacious, welcoming, comfortable, light-filled, airy. These were my initial impressions on entering the residential aged care Homes, Lilli Pilli and Cedar, within the new Blue Haven Bonaira Village. Wide timber hallways
Inside this issue
Policing problem holiday houses p7 NYE fundraiser for Firies p11
Did you know...
Around 18,000 children and young people are in Out of Home Care in NSW. We need your help. 1300 000 WCF wcfoundation.org.au
Enquire about becoming a foster carer today.