Members of Bermagui & District CWA Branch were thrilled when the NSW Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley, visited them on Thursday, (28 November). Photo: Marion Williams.
The NSW Governor was blown away when she learnt that Bermagui & District CWA Branch had raised money from the community to complete two affordable seniors housing units, adding to the four it already manages in central Bermagui.
It is at least the fifth example of communities in the Bega Valley raising funds to build housing rather than waiting for governments to provide affordable housing.
Many years ago, Tathra Lions Club raised funds to build 20 units for those in need.
Further south in Eden, the community funded the construction of Nullica Lodge, a 27-bed facility for seniors, while the broader community has given Social Justice Advocates of the Sapphire Coast more than $500,000 since June 2021 to increase the dignity of the shire’s crisis accommodation.
The most recent example is the Bermagui CWA raising more than $130,000 over the past year to build two seniors units.
In the Eurobodalla a community group is raising money to build carers accommodation at the Eurobodalla Regional Hospital that is under construction. It was inspired by the Bega Valley community doing the same thing for the South East Regional Hospital.
During the Governor’s visit to Bermagui, Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland confirmed comments by Southern NSW Local Health District CEO Margaret Bennett last month that the Eurobodalla may be one of the sites selected to benefit from the NSW Government’s additional $200.1 million funding for nurses accommodation. Dr Holland said the decision should be based on need.
On Thursday (28 November), Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC arrived at the Bermagui CWA’s rooms, accompanied by her husband Dennis Wilson.
Members of Bermagui & District CWA Cath Renwick and Michelle Craig showed the new affordable seniors housing units to Member for Bega Dr Michael Holland and NSW Governor Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley. Photo: Marion Williams.
That was when they heard about Bermagui CWA’s fundraising effort. That, combined with $200,000 from the NSW Government Local Small Commitment Allocation Program, and a wisely invested $220,000 bequest from Mrs Florence Froggett in 2002, enabled them to build two more seniors housing units. Those complemented four other affordable seniors housing units that were built in 1982 at a cost of $60,000.
After 20 years of being hampered by red tape, Bermagui CWA president Paula Rumble said it was satisfying to have built the two units to provide secure, affordable rental to people in need.
Bermagui CWA treasurer Cath Renwick, said the fundraising success had attracted several new members, including three under the age of 40. “It is all because we’ve been doing something great for the community.”
The day before the Governor’s visit, Bega Valley Shire Council unanimously passed a motion to urgently activate the Nullica Lodge site in Eden.
It opened in 1995 after years of hard work by community members and volunteers who formed a committee. In 1992, the committee secured a 40-year Crown lease on the site between the state of NSW and The Community for the Eden District Hostel for Older and Disabled People.
The committee also secured financial support to construct the facility from community and business donations, federal and state government grants, and a donation and bridging loan from the council.
The 13-bed Nullica Lodge was a home to the elderly that provided assistance, as well as the opportunity for social interaction and independent living. The facility was later expanded to accommodate 27 residents.
After visiting the new affordable seniors housing units, NSW Governor Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley spoke with members from Bermagui & District CWA and joined them for morning tea. Photo: Marion Williams.
In 2009, Nullica Lodge transitioned from community operation to management by Anglicare. RSL LifeCare took over management from Anglicare in 2014.
In July 2021, RSL LifeCare announced it was closing Nullica Lodge due to “financial unviability”. It has been vacant since the residents were forced to relocate.
Since then, the Eden Recovery and Resilience Alliance has been actively advocating for the site to be reopened. In December 2022 it held a community meeting with around 100 attendees. It also conducted a survey that showed 93 per cent of respondents agreed “there is a need for Nullica Lodge to be reopened as a housing facility for the elderly and people with disabilities”.
At last week’s council meeting, they passed a motion for the CEO to work with NSW Crown Lands and any other necessary parties to ensure the urgent activation of Nullica Lodge. The intention is to get the best possible future community benefit, with a desired focus on affordable seniors living and supported accommodation for those with a disability.
When putting the motion to the council, Councillor Clair Madaliar said unless the council drives other stakeholders that have control of the site, there is a real risk that the site will become inactive for many years.
During the NSW Governor’s visit, Dr Holland mentioned the concept of ‘meanwhile use’, namely that buildings awaiting longer-term development could be temporarily used for affordable housing.
Dr Holland said the NSW Government was looking at an audit of assets that were underused. He was struck by a constituent’s suggestion to also look at unused private assets such as vacant shops and offices.
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