Blue Haven Bonaira land reclassified

Kiama Council has voted to reclassify the land on which Blue Haven Bonaira sits from community to operational land.

In last night’s Ordinary Meeting of Council, the elected Councillors voted 6 in favour to 3 against (For: Crs Brown, Croxford, Draisma, Larkins, Reilly, Steel. Against: Crs Keast, Renkema-Lang, Rice) to reclassify to operational land Lot 2 DP 1215276, 14A Bonaira Street, Kiama.

The site comprises:

• Blue Haven Bonaira 134-bed Residential Aged Care Facility
• 59 Independent Living Units (ILUs)
• Matterson Hall
• Barroul House café
• Chapel, gym and hair salon
• Administration offices for Blue Haven Home Care Services and Blue Haven Transport

Council thanks everyone in the community for their submissions to the Planning Portal and Public Hearing as part of the land reclassification process.

Kiama Council will now advise the NSW Department of Planning & Environment of this decision and the reclassification will be included in an update to the Local Environment Plan.

The reclassification of the land means Kiama Council can proceed with the divestment of Blue Haven Bonaira, as it resolved to do in October 2022 and confirmed at its Extraordinary meeting on February 28 2023.

The divestment of Blue Haven Bonaira is also listed as a key action in Council’s adopted Strategic Improvement Plan.

Kiama Mayor Neil Reilly said it was a difficult but important decision for Council to make.

“The divestment of Blue Haven Bonaira is not something any of the elected Councillors have taken lightly. We have read hundreds of reports and gone over the finances around this many times since we came to office in January 2022. It’s been a tough choice but it’s the right one if we are to pursue our goal of a sustainable future for Kiama Council and our community.”

Much work had already begun towards the divestment of Blue Haven Bonaira (subject to the reclassification of the land) which will now continue.

Our high quality care and service to our aged care residents and clients remains the priority of Blue Haven and Kiama Council. Council is committed to continuing Blue Haven’s high standards of aged care as we move through the divestment process for Blue Haven Bonaira.

Further information: Blue-Haven-Illawarra-sale-FAQs