Bouquets for Briggs.
Shellharbour candidate Don Briggs has called for Shellharbour City Council (SCC) to become directly involved in the provision of aged care facilities in the City. Mr Briggs envisions council taking a role similar to that taken by Kiama council with it's outstanding and successful Blue Haven facility. Well done! This is an idea well worth the support of all candidates and community members.
Aged care is one of those sectors that acts as a glue for our society, allowing our elderly residents to remain in the loving embrace of their families and community as they age with respect and dignity.
My only problem with the call from Mr Briggs is that it did not come earlier. In 2002, when a council of which Mr Briggs was a member, was considering selling Lot 100 at Oak Flats, I raised the possibility of using that site for a facility along the lines of Blue Haven. At that stage Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showed our local government area had a shortfall of 650 aged care beds. My calls fell on deaf ears. The land was sold. Aged care was definitely not on then-Councillor Briggs' agenda at that stage.
