Kiama Municipal Council is in the early stages of major fire safety upgrade works at Stage 5 at Blue Haven Terralong.
This project is a mammoth undertaking and won't be completed until midway through 2028.
It includes upgrades to fire detection and warning systems, sprinklers, hydrants, fire doors and other fire safety measures in addition to a hot water systems upgrade and vacant unit refurbishment.
Crucially, Stage 5 will remain occupied and operational while the upgrade program is carried out.
Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald said perhaps the most important part of the upgrade to Blue Haven Terralong is that Council partnering with the residents to keep them accommodated and informed throughout this project.
Council staff have already held in-depth talks with the Residents' Committee and given extensive details to the residents about the planned works, via written correspondence and a series of information sessions held on site this week.
"The feedback has been positive and we are committed to an open dialogue of communication with the residents on every step of the way," Mayor McDonald said.
"Everyone's circumstances are different so we will work with residents to provide practical options and support.
"We thank the residents for their cooperation and understanding."
Some parts of the work will be noisy and disruptive so each resident will be provided with industrial-strength hearing protection.
Council is investigating a range of other support options, including organised day trips and off-site activities.
Vacant units are being refurbished so that when residents need to relocate for 2-3 weeks when work is being carried out in their unit, they can remain at Blue Haven Terralong with as little disruption as possible.
Residents' units will get their fire safety upgrades in groups of up to six units at a time, usually on a floor-by-floor basis.
While there will be some unavoidable disruption to residents and their families while Blue Haven Terralong is upgraded, the long-term benefits will be huge for Council, the wider community and most importantly, for the residents.
