Blue Haven hearing raises many issues

Those opposed to the sale of Blue Haven Bonaira used last night’s Public Hearing on the reclassification of the public land – from community to operational land – as their first and possibly last chance to raise a variety of issues in a public forum.

The sale cannot proceed without the reclassification and, at the very least, many argued strongly that – if the reclassification was to take place – historic Barroul House should be excised via subdivision beforehand and remain in community hands.

Emeritus Mayor Sandra McCarthy, who was mayor in 2011 when the State Government offered to sell the Kiama Hospital site, said the community land classification wasn’t the oversight that is now being claimed.

“The intention was to keep it in public ownership,” she said.

“Council can operate there under the current classification.”

Ms McCarthy and a number of speakers raised the issue of apprehended bias, given Council is ultimately to decide whether the reclassification occurs and the approved sale cannot proceed without it.

“I am really concerned that

Council has approved the sale of community land,” she said.

“The approved sale prior to public consultation negatively influences the proper process.”

Former Councillor Howard H Jones agreed, “This reclassification is to facilitate the sale.

“There is no reason to reclassify as it is used by the community.

“This meeting is a tickbox exercise for a predetermined outcome.”

He criticised the lack of public consultation over the decision to sell.

“This is the biggest financial and societal decision in Council’s history.”

Fellow former Councillor Howard R Jones decried what he sees as the lack of transparency in the decision to sell Blue Haven Bonaira, including the failure to provide promised independent business cases on the options.

“Reclassification is one of the most significant things a council can do. Is there a significant public benefit from this?” he said.

A number of speakers objected to the description of the community classification as an anomaly, including former Chief Engineer Noel Edgell, “It was sold provided it was used for aged care. For the Government to say it [reclassifying to operational] is to correct an anomaly is quite wrong.”

A Blue Haven resident, Peter Maywald, said, “Caring for a community is the core business of council.

“They did not see a need to reclassify it until they wanted to sell.”

Central Precinct voiced its support for Barroul House being excised from any reclassification, arguing against the loss of social capital and that it is not required for the aged care operations.

“From Day 1 Barroul House was considered a community asset,” said Sue Eggins of the Kiama & District Historical Society, mentioning a clause in the hospital sale contract ensured Barroul House was restored.

“Any future sale should have a caveat to make sure it remains available for use by the public.”

“The Federal Government provided $1.4 million to restore it as a community hub,” she said, noting the Society had been fighting for its restoration for 25 years.

Ms McCarthy said, “A change in the classification will be contrary to Federal and State Government funding agreements.” from page 3 vital part of our visitor economy, so we need to make sure that we are doing our best to keep people coming into Kiama and providing customers for local businesses,” he says.

The Federal Government also contributed $2.4 million for the Matterson community hall and meeting rooms and the State Government contributed a total of $14.8 million.

Peter Meaney raised the issue of residents in Blue Haven Bonaira possibly having a financial interest that needs to be taken into account in the reclassification.

“I think residents are morally and legally entitled to Council getting an opinion on whether they have an interest in the matter,” he said.

Of the 16 speakers, just one resident supported the reclassification, saying that Council shouldn’t be involved in specialised businesses.

The independent Chair of the hearing said that a written report on the submissions and speeches would be presented to Council within seven days, outlining the key themes but not giving a recommendation as that is not part of their role. The report will be made available to the public.

The State Government has given Council the status to make the final decision on the reclassification, which is expected to go to either the June or July Meeting.

Councillors were told it was not appropriate for them to speak at the hearing, given they will be making the final decision.

A recent NSW Department of Health survey gave all aged care homes in the Kiama LGA 3 stars overall for their facilities (out of five) but only 1 or 2 stars for their level of staffing.

The staffing rating is determined by the total number of minutes of nursing or personal care each resident receives each day.

RFBI Berry Masonic Village was the best performing home in the region, earning four stars overall.

Mr Malone is impressed by his team, feeling that their work is sometimes underappreciated.

“Some of our crew start at 4 am – cleaning toilets, emptying bins, cutting grass, fixing potholes,” he says While he understands the community’s frustration with weather-related delays in mowing and road repairs, he encourages people to say ‘hello’ to Council’s workers occasionally, remembering they’re doing their best to keep Kiama clean and safe.

Acknowledging residents’ interest in their town, Mr Malone urges them to report problems directly by phone or the ‘report problem’ link on the Council website.

Further, he courageously invites community members to contact him directly if there’s a delay in addressing an important issue, saying he may not know the answer but will find the right person to help.

“Right now, I can only look forward to what we’re hoping to deliver for the community. But in the future, I want to be able to look in my rear vision and be proud of what we’ve done.”