Perth-based family owned Hall & Prior Health & Aged Care Group, founded in 1992, is expanding its services in NSW after winning the tender to take over the Council's loss-making business offering retirement living, aged care and home care.
"After two and a half years of external pressure, internal turmoil and ever growing debt, with this decision, we've overcome all that to secure our financial future," Kiama Municipal Council Mayor Neil Reilly said.
The Council, located 120km south of Sydney, backflipped on a decision to sell Blue Haven Bonaira in May 2022, and in October 2022 again decided to sell off its facility due to the home's poor financial performance (it lost $660,000 in July 2022 alone) but intended to hold onto its Independent Living Units.
Even in January this year, Greens Councillor Kathy Rice was seeking to suspend the sale of Blue Haven Bonaira and wanted the NSW Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig to independently review the sale process, but in February, Council decided to put the site and its services out to tender.
In an Extraordinary Meeting on 27 May, the elected Council voted to proceed with Hall & Prior’s offer and begin drawing up a sales contract for Blue Haven Bonaira in Kiama. Settlement of the deal is expected in September 2024.
The site has 59 independent living units and 134 aged care beds across eight purpose-built care houses, including two dedicated dementia homes.
Founded by Michael Hall and Graeme Prior, Hall & Prior Health & Aged Care Group has grown from a single family-owned nursing home to a provider with 36 aged care homes, 1,200 home care clients and four retirement villages with a workforce of more than 3,100.
“Our dedicated commitment to providing quality aged care and accommodation is our priority, and we are excited to bring our experience to the residents of Blue Haven Bonaira and associated services,” said Graeme.
