Case to keep Blue Haven

from page 3 for residents”, based on sector wide studies on quality and costs rising under new ownership.

It notes that transferring employees from Local Government to Federal awards may result in lower wages. Stressing the long tradition of community support and goodwill for Blue Haven, the report says, “The financial losses associated with aged care facilities at Bonaira are currently typical for the sector”.

It questions whether now is the right time for sell given the downturn in the real estate market, and that it is probably public comments from council may have “hindered the process” by talking

In response to the eight page report, Mayor Neil Reilly says, “Blue Haven Bonaira is operating at a significant loss and has been for the past three years, as our financial report show. The USU report does not address how the Council or Blue Haven could continue to operate if this were to continue.

"Our solution, to divest of Blue Haven Bonaira (subject to the reclassification of the land), means the facility and its services remain in Kiama, its staff continue to be employed and Kiama Council will be well on the way to restoring its financial sustainability and ensuring an equitable distribution of Council funds and services to all in our community.”

You can donate at gofundme. com (search by name) or take the more traditional route of buying a sausage sizzle at on Election Day (see left) by Cassandra

Zaucer

al Commission established a new Aged Care Act and regulatory regime.

“Today, all operators must meet the exact same standards of care, whether they are councils, profit or not for-profit.

“Clearly, any operator who takes ownership of Blue Haven will be one whose standard of care is rigorously monitored by the Commonwealth to be as good, if not better than, what Council can provide.”

The Mayor also notes that a 15 per cent wage increase for aged care workers under the Federal Award in June will effectively ‘close the gap’ between the local/state government award rates of pay and aged care worker pay rates under the Federal Award.

Shadow Minister for Roads, John Graham MLC, says, “Labor is committed to supporting Councils to fix the local roads that people use every day to get to work, get the kids to school or get to medical appointments.”

Kiama’s Labor candidate, Katelin McInerney, says the Kiama Downs SLSC funding will upgrade their amenities and radio room.

“Growing up by the beach in Kiama Downs I was always grateful for the work our local surf life savers did over summer to look after us.

“This funding will mean that our amazing local Surf Life Saving volunteers are supported into the future and have the facilities they need to keep protecting locals and visitors on our beaches."

Her commitment comes with Labor announcing that if they win government they would increase funding to Surf Life Saving NSW by $23 million over the next four years.

The yearly increase would deliver extra equipment and communication upgrades, and include emergency response beacons.

Public notice

Kiama Council needs to reclassify the public land of the Blue Haven Bonaira site from community land to operational land, to ensure it is being operated in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993 Council has lodged a Planning Proposal to list Lot 2 DP 1215276, 14A Bonaira Street, Kiama under Part 1 of Schedule 4 of the Kiama Local Environmental Plan 2011 (LEP) as ‘land classified or reclassified as operational land – no interests changed’.

The Planning Proposal is currently on public exhibition and submissions can be made until Tuesday 11 April 2023.

A formal public hearing will also be held about the Planning Proposal, with an independent facilitator. Submissions made during the exhibition process and at the public hearing will be compiled into a report. This report will be provided to Council for final decision, as the Local Plan Making Authority.

Further information: www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/Council/Your-say

Address all correspondence to: Chief Executive Officer 11 Manning Street (PO Box 75), Kiama 2533

Phone: 4232 0444

Website: www.kiama.nsw.gov.au