Village Rules – Bonaira and Terralong

Village Rules Bonaira

Download Bonaira Village Rules

These Village rules were originally adopted by special resolution of a general meeting of residents on 9/11/20. They were subsequently modified by special resolutions on 27/4/21 and have been updated to incorporate the proposed January 2023 amendments.

Copies of Bonaira ILU documents can be located in a folder in the residents’ library.

1. Introduction

These Village rules were originally adopted by special resolution of a general meeting of residents on 9 November 2020. They were subsequently modified by special resolution on 27 April 2021.

2. Residents’ Committee

2.1 The elected Residents’ Committee is the agreed conduit through which all requests relating to the provision or maintenance of Village services, infrastructure and facilities are conveyed to Village Management. These Village Rules allow the Residents’ Committee to make or vary Policies to facilitate the safe and harmonious operation of the Village, after consultation with all stakeholders.

2.2 Residents are required to respect the privacy of members of the elected Residents’ Committee.

2.3 To properly manage the flow of information all communications on matters of Residents’ Committee business, must be submitted in writing to the Committee Secretary.

2.4 Unless invited by individual committee members, email and other communications should not be sent to committee members’ private email addresses (or letterboxes), but instead be sent to the Secretary.

2.5 A resident advocating to the Committee on behalf of another resident must provide a letter from the other resident, authorising this advocacy.

3. No smoking

Blue Haven Bonaira is a non-smoking area. Residents, staff and visitors are not allowed to smoke in any part of the site, including units, common areas or outside areas (other than in the designated staff area in the rear carpark).

4. Visitors and guests

4.1 Residents are welcome to have guests and visitors at any time.

4.2 Guests who wish to stay longer than three (3) weeks will require Council’s approval.

4.3 Visitors and guests are not permitted to use the Village recreation or lounge areas without the resident also being present.

5. Noise

5.1 Each resident is responsible to ensure that they do not unreasonably interfere with other residents through the creation of excessive noise or other disturbances.

5.2 Residents are also requested to not use washing machines or dryers between 9:00pm and 7:00am.

5.3 If a Resident suffers from hearing loss and their television or radio can easily be heard outside their unit, please consider using headphones.

6. Parking and traffic

6.1 As all roads within the Village are shared with pedestrians, both drivers and pedestrians should use extreme care and keep speed to a minimum.

6.2 Residents should not park in visitor parking areas for longer than one (1) hour.

6.3 Horns should only be used in the event of an emergency.

7. Security

7.1 While buildings have access control, each Resident is individually responsible for the security of their unit.

7.2 Unit entry doors should be locked at all times.

7.3 The Emergency Call System may be activated by a Resident if they feel that they are in immediate physical danger.

8. Fire safety

8.1 Each unit is fitted with a smoke detector and fire blanket.

8.2 Unit doors are fitted with door closers as they are fire doors and must not be left open.

8.3 Residents must comply with the Standard Fire Orders issued by the Operator.

9. Pets

9.1 Pets (other than a fish in a bowl) are not permitted to reside within the Village.

9.2 Guide dogs and dogs for those living with a hearing impairment are permitted, providing that they are registered and recognised by an approved body.

10. Village gardens

10.1 The elected Residents’ Committee may make and vary policies on the use of common garden areas, in consultation with residents and Council.

10.2 Kiama Council’s Tree Preservation Order prohibits the pruning, lopping or removal of any tree, for the purpose of maintaining a view from any residence in the Kiama Municipality.

11.  Balconies

11.1 Residents are requested to maintain their balconies in a tidy and clean manner.

11.2 Pot plants may be placed on balconies, providing that care is taken to ensure that water does not overflow onto the balcony below. Watering may be done by a hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, providing care is taken to ensure that water does not impact on any units below. Saucers should be used to prevent staining of tiles.

11.3 While electric BBQs are allowed, gas BBQs are prohibited for fire safety reasons.

12. Feeding of birds

12.1 Feeding birds from balconies or other built areas can attract insects and rodents, as well as Myna birds. Feeding of birds from balconies is therefore not permitted.

13.  Hanging of paintings

13.1 Residents are requested to not drill holes in any location in their unit without first ascertaining the location of electrical wiring and water pipes. Holes should not be drilled in kitchen or bathroom cabinets, nor in bathrooms due to the risk of cracking wall tiles.

14. Ceiling fans

14.1 Residents are requested to not fit ceiling fans in any location in their unit without first contacting the Caretaker.

15. Emergency medical assistance

In the event of a medical emergency, the Resident should call the ambulance immediately by dialling “000”.

The supplied Emergency Call System should only be used in the following three (3) circumstances:

15.1 Immediately AFTER the Resident has dialled “000”, to enable the Caretaker to assist the ambulance to gain access to the resident’s unit, to secure your unit and contact next of kin (if the Resident is taken to hospital).

15.2 If a Resident requires the ambulance but is unable to reach or dial the telephone, the Caretaker will come to the unit to confirm the emergency, however, will be unable to physically assist the Resident for reasons of Public Liability. The Caretaker will contact the ambulance immediately that it is determined that the call is not a false alarm.

15.3 A Resident may also activate the Emergency Call System if they feel they are in immediate personal danger or there is a significant emergency, such as a fire.

16. Village common areas and facilities

The Residents’ Committee may establish policies on the use of the following common areas, which may be varied as required by the Residents’ Committee in consultation with residents and Council.

16.1 Residents’ Lounge (unit 222): The operator has provided unit 222 as a permanent Resident Lounge. The Residents’ Committee may establish and vary policies in respect of the use of this area.

16.2 Activities room (at rear of Barroul House): The operator has provided a room at the rear of Barroul House as a permanent Resident Activities Room. The Residents’ Committee may establish and vary policies in respect of the use of this area.

17. Shared Area Protocols

The following Shared Area Protocols were endorsed by the Operator in July 2022 and form part of the Village Rules:

a) Matterson Hall Usage Policy;

b) Observation Deck Usage Policy; and

c) Building 4 Lift Usage and Foyer Access Policy.

These protocols are attached.

18. Carpark storage

18.1 Residents are permitted to store material in their allocated car space, subject to the following principles:

a) safety and visual amenity are maintained using suitable shelves or cabinets of no more than two (2) meters in height;

b) mutual agreement is reached between adjoining car space holder regarding use of area between car spaces; and

c) loose items must not be stored directly on the floor.

19.  Drying areas

19.1 Drying areas are available and provision has been made in all units for the installation of electric clothes dryers.

19.2 With the exception of residents who, for personal care reasons, need to dry or air some items on private balconies, the drying of washing is not permitted on unit balconies. In such cases, Residents are requested to do so in a manner that minimises concerns for others.

19.3 Residents are requested to liaise with other Residents to co-ordinate the sharing of all clothes lines within the buildings.

19.4 To optimise the available clothes-line space, Residents should ensure that their clothes are removed from lines as soon as they are dry.

19.5 No items of clothing or linen may be hung on balcony balustrades.

20. Common hallways

No loose items, including shoes, may be left at any time outside Residents’ doors except in suitable containers. Shoe stands are not permitted. Residents are required to leave their door closed unless entering or leaving their unit.

21.  Garbage disposal

21.1 Garbage bins are provided in the carparks of buildings 1 to 3 and building 4. Please exercise care when transporting your rubbish to ensure that drips or spills do not occur. Residents should always use the small bucket provided to each unit to hold all green waste bags used, in order to catch any drips from holes in bags when taking the organic waste to the basement.

22.  Insurance

22.1 While Kiama Council fully insures both the buildings and the contents that are supplied with each unit, this insurance does not cover Residents’ own property or possessions.

22.2 Should a Resident accidentally damage something in their unit or elsewhere in the Village, they will be responsible for the first $100 of any necessary repairs. The balance of the cost of any repairs will be paid from Residents’ maintenance levies.

23. Electric scooters and wheelchairs

23.1 Residents with electric scooters or wheelchairs are required to operate their vehicle in a safe manner. When operated withing the Village, such vehicles must give way to pedestrians at all times.

23.2 The Residents’ Committee may make or vary policies relating to the use of Motorised Scooters and Wheelchairs, in consultation with all Residents and Council.

24.  Tradesmen and other contractors doing work in your unit

24.1 Prior to engaging any tradesperson to do work in a resident’s unit (other than to repair personal items like televisions or refrigerators) it is essential that they contact the Village Manager or the Caretakers in order to supply details of their licences and insurance.

25.  Complaints and disputes

25.1 The NSW Retirement Villages legislation includes a provision for disputes to be settled through the Consumer, Trader and Tenancy Tribunal.

25.2 Kiama Council considers it appropriate to first attempt to settle any dispute amicably between Council and Blue Haven residents or between individual Residents.

25.3 Accordingly, if a Resident has any concerns, Council requests that the following procedure be used:

a) Raise the matter with the Village Manager; and

b) Should the resident remain unsatisfied with the outcome, raise the matter in a letter to Kiama Council.

Note: If a Resident is unsatisfied with the determination of the Village Manager and the matter relates to broader issues which may affect other Residents, a Resident may choose to raise the matter with the elected Residents’ Committee.

Village Rules Terralong

Download Terralong Village Rules

The Residents of Blue Haven Village and Kiama Council have together agreed on the following Village rules, which are designed to ensure the harmonious operation of the Village.

1.  Introduction

The Residents of Blue Haven Village and Kiama Council have together agreed on the following Village rules, which are designed to ensure the harmonious operation of the Village.

2.   No smoking

Effective from 1 January 2012, only existing residents and those who have placed their name on the waiting list as at that date, will be able to smoke within the Village (excluding common rooms). New residents from 1 January 2012 (excluding those on the waiting list at that date) will not be permitted, under the Village Rules, to smoke in their unit, or in any other part of the land or buildings occupied by the Retirement Village. This rule also applies to visitors and guests.

3.  Visitors and guests

3.1 Residents are welcome to have guests and visitors at any time.

3.2 Guests who wish to stay longer than three (3) weeks will require Council’s approval.

3.3 Visitors and guests are not permitted to use the Village recreation or lounge areas without the resident also being present.

4.  Noise

4.1 Residents are welcome to have guests and visitors at any time.

4.2 Guests who wish to stay longer than three weeks will require Council’s approval.

4.3 Visitors and guests are not permitted to use the Village recreation or lounge areas without the resident also being present.

5.  Parking and traffic

5.1 As all roads within the Village are shared with pedestrians, both drivers and pedestrians should use extreme care and keep speed to a minimum.

5.2 Residents should not park in visitor parking areas for longer than one (1) hour.

5.3 Horns should only be used in the event of an emergency.

6.  Security

6.1 While some buildings have access control, each Resident is individually responsible for the security of their unit.

6.2 Unit entry doors should be locked at all times.

6.3 The Vitalcall pendant may be activated by a Resident if they feel that they are in immediate physical danger.

7.  Fire safety

7.1 Each unit is fitted with a smoke detector and fire blanket.

7.2 The Standing Fire Orders which are attached to the back of the front door of each unit should not be removed. These Orders should be followed in the case of fire.

7.3 Unit doors which are fitted with door closers are fire doors and must not be left open.

8.  Pets

Except for the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) order below:

8.1 Pets (other than a fish in a bowl) are not permitted to reside within the Village.

8.2 Guide dogs and dogs for the hearing impaired are permitted, providing that they are registered and recognised by an approved body.

NCAT order:

On 9 March 2022 NCAT made the following order:

By consent, ORDER, that the Respondent amend its policy within 35 days so as to provide for residents to be permitted to keep companion animals if required for therapeutic or medical purposes.

Accordingly,

1.Residents are permitted to keep companion animals if required for therapeutic or medical purposes.

2.Kiama Council’s Policy regarding the keeping of companion animals by residents of the Blue Haven Terralong Retirement Village governs the implementation and management of this NCAT Order.

9.   Village gardens

9.1 Please see the Resident’s Committee policy on the use of common garden areas, which may be varied as required by the Residents Committee in consultation with residents and Council.

9.2 Kiama Council’s Tree Preservation Order prohibits the pruning, lopping or removal of any tree, for the purpose of maintaining a view from any residence in the Kiama Municipality.

10. Pot plants on balconies

10.1 Providing that residents do not obstruct the movement of other residents, they are permitted to place pot plants on the common walkway near the entrance to their unit. In some cases, there may even be room for a small chair or table.

10.2 Residents who choose to place items on the common walkway will be responsible for sweeping the area occupied.

10.3 When watering pot plants, Residents are asked to ensure that the paths remain dry and that minerals do not leach out of pots, which can then stain the tiles.

10.4 Residents may also place pot plants on your unit balcony. Pot plants should only be watered using a watering can (not a hose) and care should be taken to ensure that water does not overflow onto the balcony below. Suitable saucers should be used under all pots.

10.5 Consultation as to the number of potted plants that may be appropriate on each common balcony is undertaken through the garden committee for that building.

11. Feeding of birds

11.1 Feeding birds from balconies or other built areas can attract insects and rodents, as well as Myna birds. Residents are therefore requested to only feed birds in the garden areas.

12. Hanging of paintings

12.1 It is preferred that all hooks for the hanging of paintings are installed by the caretaker.

12.2 Residents are requested to not drill holes in any location in their unit without first contacting the Caretaker, who is aware of the location of wiring and water pipes. Holes should not be drilled in kitchen or bathroom cabinets.

13. Emergency medical assistance

In the event of a medical emergency, the Resident should summon the ambulance immediately by dialling “000”.

The supplied Vitalcall system should only be used in the following three (3) circumstances:

13.1 Immediately AFTER the Resident has dialled “000”, to enable the Caretaker to assist the ambulance to gain access to your unit, to secure your unit and contact your next of kin (if you are taken to hospital).

13.2 If a Resident requires the ambulance but is unable to reach or dial the telephone. The Caretaker will come to the unit to confirm the emergency, however, will be unable to physically assist the Resident for reasons of Public Liability. The Caretaker will contact the ambulance immediately that it is determined that the call is not a false alarm. Accordingly, the Vitalcall system should only be activated if a Resident requires the ambulance and is unable to get to the phone (with the following exception of 13.3).

13.3 A Resident may also activate the Vitalcall system if they feel they are in immediate personal danger or there is a significant emergency, such as a fire.

14. Village common areas and facilities

14.1 Please see the Resident’s Committee Policy on the use of common areas, which may be varied as required, by the Residents Committee in consultation with Residents and Council.

15. Drying areas (Stages 2 to 5)

15.1 Stages 2 to 5 have a number of communal drying areas on each floor.

15.2 The Residents Committee may, in consultation with Residents and Council, establish protocols for the use of the drying areas within the Village.

15.3 The drying of clothes on unit balconies or in other areas visible to the public is not allowed.

15.4 Out of consideration for other Residents, Residents should ensure that their washing is removed as soon as it is dry.

16. Garbage disposal

16.1 Garbage bins are provided in the carpark levels of Stages 2, 4 and 5 (Level 1 only). Please exercise care when transporting your rubbish to ensure that drips, etc, do not occur. Residents should always use the small bucket provided to each unit to hold all plastic bags used, in order to catch drips from holes in bags.

17.      Insurance

17.1 While Kiama Council fully insures both the buildings and the contents that are supplied with each unit, this insurance does not cover Residents’ own property or possessions.

17.2 Should a Resident accidentally damage something in their unit or elsewhere in the Village, they will be responsible for the first $100 of any necessary repairs. The balance of the cost of any repairs will be paid from Residents’ maintenance levies.

18.      Air conditioning

18.1 Prior to installing an air conditioner in a unit in any Stage, it will be necessary to contact the Village Manager to discuss the location and routing of pipes, etc. In addition, all installers must submit details of insurance, prior to doing any work.

19.      Electric vehicles

19.1 Please see the Resident’s Committee Policy on the use of Motorised Wheelchairs, which may be varied as required by the Residents Committee in consultation with Residents and Council.

20.   Tradesmen and other contractors doing work in your unit

20.1 Prior to engaging any tradesmen to do work in a Resident’s unit (other than to items like televisions or refrigerators), it is essential that they contact the Village Manager or the Caretaker’s in order to supply details of their licences and insurance.

21.   Complaints and disputes

21.1 At the time of taking up occupancy, Residents are provided with a copy of the following documents, which should be consulted in the event of a complaint or dispute:

a) Internal dispute resolution process;

b) Complaint handling process;

c) Elder Abuse Policy; and

d) Guide to the role of the Contract Caretakers.