First tenants in Blue Haven

KATINA CURTIS

THE first residents of Blue Haven Stage 5 have settled into their new homes, with two-fifths of the units to become occupied in the next six weeks.

John and Daphne Blackler were the first people to move into the complex on Monday.

The couple, who come from Picnic Point in Sydney, said they used to holiday in Kiama about twice a year and decided they would love to live here.

"There are so many amenities in Kiama, like the transport, the trains for when we're not up to driving any more," Mrs Blackler said.

"Also, we liked Blue Haven because it was right in Kiama; we're not shut away in a retirement village somewhere else."

The manager of Blue Haven's independent living units, Steve Dawson, said the Stage 5 development was the biggest addition to the village, almost doubling its capacity.

"Stage 5 adds 88 units and these are larger, two and three-bedroom units because of the demand for them," he said.

Each of the units is fitted with an emergency call button, which caretakers John and Diane Mortimer will monitor.

Facilities in the complex include a sky lounge and observation deck, a hairdresser, craft rooms and workshops that can be used by all Blue Haven residents.

But one of the things Mr Blackler said he thought made it an "excellent concept" was that it did not try to replicate the amenities available in town.

"It doesn't have a swimming pool, it doesn't have a bowling green and they want you to go out in town " and I think that's great," he said.

Mr Blackler said he hoped to use the workshop space to continue making metal sculptures, but also explore the area around Kiama for inspiration for drawn artworks as well as go fishing.

Mrs Blackler said she already belonged to the knitters' guild " she had moved her wool collection as padding for glassware " and enjoyed walking and swimming.

Mr Dawson said 60 per cent of the new development had already been sold and the majority of those owners would move in by September.