the bugle special edition 22 dec 2015
DESCRIPTION
Kiama Council acts as guest editor for this special edition of The Bugle which reacts to the proposal to merge Kiama into the Shoalhaven City Council area. This unexpected move is unwelcome by our community.TRANSCRIPT
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22 December 2015
From the Editor
With the shock announcement of the proposed forced amalgamation of
Kiama and Shoalhaven councils, Kiama Council has worked together with The Bugle
to bring you this special edition.
The Council is acting as guest editor for this edition, and is responsible for the content.
The BugleThe BugleThe BugleThe Bugle Special edition from Kiama Council
No forced annexation for Kiama
A call to action for our community
Council is shocked that the
State Government is propos-
ing the merger of Kiama
Municipality with the City
of Shoalhaven. This proposal
has not been on anyones
agenda, has not been
discussed at any level of
government and is certainly not in the interests
of the residents of our municipality.
We are bringing you this special edition of
The Bugle because we want you to know why this
issue is important for you and your familys future.
State politicians are relying on apathy and the busy
holiday season to push these reforms through. They
dont know how strong our community is and how
we are prepared to fight for what we believe in.
Kiama Council has cooperated at all stages of the
State Governments Fit for the Future program
(see p4) and notes that at every stage, from
the Independent Local Government Review through
to the IPART report, this proposed merger has not
been a key issue. In fact, even in the proposed
merger summary put out by the government, the
following statement is made:
The Independent Review Panel did not identify
this as a high priority merger on the basis of a
number of factors including that each council ap-
peared sustainable for at least the medium term.
Although the IPART Report suggested Kiama did
not meet all of the criteria of the Fit for the Future
assessment, it was identified to have scale and
capacity sufficient to remain independent.
Because Council met that key requirement, it was
advised it could make a case to show it could be
assessed as fit. A consultant was engaged to under-
take that review and a submission is in final prepa-
ration to show it can meet all the governments
requirements by the dates determined by IPART.
Then came this shocking news that our municipal
community may be merged with the Shoalhaven,
an area extending almost to Batemans Bay with
which we have no community of interest.
We will continue to make the strongest represent-
ations to the State Government that this proposal
is not necessary, is not in the best interests of our
residents, is not supported by the true facts and
has no support in our area.
We urge all sections of our community all our
many organizations, groups and bodies, as well as
individuals - to rise up and say to the government
that THIS MERGER MUST NOT OCCUR.
It is not what the people of the Kiama Municipal-
ity want! See how you can help on page 4.
Brian Petschler, Mayor
Like many of you I was
stunned at the announce-
ment of the proposed coun-
cil mergers and confused as
to what this might mean for
the future of Kiama with its
potential lack of identity.
I couldnt understand why
Kiama was being targeted
when both Kiama and
Shoalhaven are two well-run
councils doing a good job
for their respective commu-
nities.
So I tried to envisage what
a new council would be like
if Kiama was amalgamated
with Shoalhaven City Coun-
cil (SCC). To amalgamate is
defined as to combine or
unite to form one organiza-
tion or structure. It infers a
blending or merging of two
equal groups to form a new
distinct body. However
given that Kiama has about
13,000 people (and an area
of 259 km2) and SCC has
about 97,000 (and an area
of 4,660 km2), Kiama would
only represent about 12%
of the new council and have
little input into the composi-
tion and direction of the new
council.
SCC has a ward system
with 4 councillors in each
ward and an elected mayor.
If Kiama became part of
SCC, it would be part of
Ward 1 and may be lucky
to have 1 or 2 councillors
to represent them out of a
council of 13.
Given the difference in
size between the two coun-
cils, it seems logical that
SCC will simply absorb
Kiama into their existing
council structure and Kiama
will become a small part of
a Greater Shoalhaven City
Council. All property and
facilities would be owned by
an enlarged SCC and the
new council could well de-
cide to sell off these facili-
ties for their own new priori-
ties in reality Kiama will
be annexed with minimal
input into the future of the
area. To annex something
is defined as to incorporate
(territory) into the domain
of a city, country or state.
The question needs to be
asked how would Kiama
residents be better off under
the annexation proposal?
Over many years, Kiama
Council has developed a
proactive approach to work-
ing with residents that seeks
to balance the demands of
new development, the envi-
ronment, rural concerns,
local economy and jobs,
leisure and tourism, new
housing and shops and aged
care and has come up with
solutions that mainly satisfy
most residents. How will
these programs and facilities
(such as the new Blue
Haven Aged Care or the
new supermarket site) be
maintained and developed
when Kiama is a small part
of a much larger council
with its own set of urgent
priorities and issues?
If Kiama residents want to
remain part of a strong inde-
pendent council, we need to
organise a united coalition
across the political spectrum
and that includes allies
from Shoalhaven and
Shellharbour communities.
A coalition that leaves party
politics at the door, is non-
political in its approach and
embraces everybody who is
opposed to the annexation
proposal.
No forced annexation for
Kiama!
Peter ONeill
Kiama residents rally to save their future
The first rally against
the proposed merger
of Kiama Council with
Shoalhaven City Council
attracted a strong crowd.
Speakers rejected the
proposal and called for
Kiama to remain an
independent entity.
They marched to Gareth
Wards office to deliver
a petition.
Andrew Sloan and Ian Pullar of the RSL attempting to deliver
the petition
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2
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Or email us at [email protected]
Disclaimer:
Every effort has been made to ensure the
accuracy of the information
in this publication, but we are only human.
Mark Honey: The forma-
tion of a
mega coastal
council by
the amalga-
mation of
Kiama and Shoalhaven will
have a huge impact on the
ability of local ratepayers to
have ultimate control over
future development of our
municipality.
Of major concern is the
loss of control of the future
initiatives such as the Kiama
Hospital site redevelopment
into a Centre of Excellence
in Aged Care, development
of the Aldi supermarket site,
preservation of the green
belt between Gerringong
and Gerroa, the rural integ-
rity of the Jamberoo Valley,
the LEP review (including
new development design
guidelines), the management
plan for Bombo Headland,
and future recycling and
waste management plans.
If elected on a pro-rata
basis Kiama district would
have 1/6th of the elected
councillors, not a strong
voice to champion initiatives
such as those above.
The NSW Government
has refused to acknowledge
our future financial position
once the sale of the units
at the Centre of Excellence
in Aged Care come on
stream post-2020.
Mark Way: Being part
of a strong
Kiama
Council that
punches
above its
weight, and having the
support of our local member
Gareth Ward, you would
think we were immune to
amalgamation.
Our Council staff are first
class, look at Kiama, its
paradise! They deserve to
keep their jobs! Having lo-
cal input to our community
cannot be underestimated.
A big fish in a small pool
(Kiama) knows its territory
and a small fish in a big pool
(Shoalhaven) soon gets
gobbled up and forgotten!
Our initial response to Fit
for the Future didnt satisfy
our political masters. The
bean counters should have
looked harder at us, rather
than go for the throat!
Council subsequently
employed a consultant who
has compiled a new report
that ticks all the boxes.
Im optimistic we will
remain as a standalone
Council. The games not
over yet.
To win, we need to stand
together as Team Kiama;
our rate payers, Council/
councillors and local MP!
Dennis Seage: I feel like we
have been
king hit.
We were
assured time
and time
again that we would not
amalgamate with anyone.
We engaged a professional
consultant to correct a few
things and he categorically
proves that we are indeed
Fit For the Future as per
the government guidelines.
We were just about to sub-
mit that document when out
of the blue came the most
unwelcome and unfair news
we could have expected.
My faith in this state
government is now ZERO
and although I have voted
Liberal all of my adult life,
I vow that I will never do so
again. The unfair and low
tactics used by this state
government throughout this
whole process were nothing
short of disgraceful; certain-
ly well below the belt.
If I were asked to sum up
in one word how I felt about
this whole expensive experi-
ence the word I would use
is REPUGNANCE.
I now suspect that the
Smiling Assassins of this
totalitarian regime known
as the Baird Liberal Govern-
ment had us earmarked for
amalgamation from day one.
Neil Reilly: Under forced
amalgama-
tions, devel-
opers will
have fewer
councillors
to contend with as will the
NSW state government.
Political agendas work like
this, the greater the democ-
racy, the harder to get your
own way.
Sadly, our community will
miss out on everything but
the cost.
Tax payers money will
fund amalgamations. Thats
$600,000,000 not going to
schools and hospitals and
increased rates will result.
The evidence is that
Queensland rates have
risen enormously post their
amalgamations.
We will have one or
two councillors forming
a minority on the larger
Shoalhaven Council. People
from Nowra and Ulladulla
will be deciding the future
of the Kiama LGA. Have no
doubt, the increased Kiama
rates will go South.
Our areas share a common
border, but thats it.
Both areas have unique
beauty and great people,
but the requirements of each
of the LGAs are different.
It would be like a merger
between Switzerland and
Italy.
Andrew Sloan: This is such
devastating
news.
Residents
of Kiama,
Gerringong,
Jamberoo and surrounds are
united in their love of the
area, and I am worried that
if future decisions are made
down in Nowra that the
things we love may be lost.
For many years this Kiama
Council has fought hard
to stop the loss of valuable
farmland to urban sprawl.
Perhaps this is the real
reason they want Kiama
Council gone.
There is certainly no valid
technical, governance or
economic argument for this
merger. It is political.
From now, the best hope
of protecting local democ-
racy is for the State to
understand that they risk
losing the seat of Kiama
at the next election if they
force Kiama to become the
northern outpost of the
Shoalhaven.
Kathy Rice: On Satur-
day, many
people
I approach-
ed at the
Gerringong
Christmas Parade were
shocked that amalgamation
of Kiama and Shoalhaven
was proposed and willingly
signed the petition I was
carrying.
People praised the high
level of service Kiama pro-
vides and felt that they got
good value for their rates.
They were concerned about
how insignificant Kiama
would be in a merged coun-
cil and questioned whether
such a large council would
continue to maintain com-
munity assets and respond
to community concerns in
the way that Kiama does.
Shoalhavens area is
18 times that of Kiama, and
Kiamas population would
comprise 18% of the merged
population. One or two
Kiama councillors would
have little sway in a Council
currently dominated by one
perspective. We could very
easily become overdevel-
oped.
There is no good evidence
for amalgamating Kiama
and we must fight this poor
decision.
Warren
Steel:
I really be-
lieve we are
not dead in
the water.
I believe if
the community can rally by
flooding both the Premier
and the Ministers emails to
show that the community is
100% against amalgamation,
then with Gareth Wards
support we can convince
the powers that be that we
are fit for the future and do
not want amalgamation with
anyone.
Gavin McClure: It was with
great dismay
that we
learnt that
we were
deemed to
not be fit for
the future. This cannot be;
however it is essential that
we as councillors support
our community and fight
to stand alone. There is so
much for us to lose with
very little gain with any
merger.
Council needs to work
with our consultant to
ensure that we rectify the
indentified shortcomings
from round one of the
assessment process of Fit
For the Future.
I am very, very confident
that we as a united commu-
nity can clearly prove that
we are fit, not just now but
into the future.
What future in a super council?
The merged Council area would stretch almost to
Batemans Bay. There is a large risk Kiama residents
would not get the level of service or opportunity
to participate as they do now. For example, Shoal-
haven Council offers no green bin service.
Councillors say fight this merger
Santa likes Kiama so much he is making two trips
to the Kiama Farmers Market this year, and came
down on the Kiama Picnic Train on the weekend.
He told The Bugle he is unimpressed with both the
timing of the proposal to amalgamate the councils,
and the proposal itself.
Kiama is a great place to live, he says. Mrs
Claus and I are seriously considering moving here
when I eventually retire.
The people I meet on my visits obviously love
their towns, and value their community. Lets stop
this Grinch in his tracks.
The next edition of
The Bugle in mid-January
will give an update on
the merger situation
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3
Nick Hartgerink Media Consultant,
Kiama Downs It is surprising that NSW
hasnt learnt from the
Queensland experience,
where that state government
forced amalgamations in
2008, leaving communities
feeling that their identity
had been stolen.
Five years later, aggrieved
communities like Noosa
and Mareeba voted to
de-amalgamate from much
larger communities so
that they could regain their
identity.
There are obvious paral-
lels between Noosa being
forced into a Greater Sun-
shine Coast Council, and
Kiama being forced into
the Shoalhaven.
In Queensland the de-
amalgamation votes were
forced by years of agitation
and community unrest.
Why go through all this
pain and dislocation, for
an uncertain economic ad-
vantage? Our four regional
councils have already
demonstrated that they can
work together construc-
tively to pool resources and
reduce costs, without losing
their identities.
The NSW Government
should leave us alone to get
on with the job that Kiama
has been doing very well
for over 100 years.
Ian Pullar President of the Kiama/
Jamberoo RSL Sub-Branch
I write this in my capacity
with the RSL, as a resident
of Kiama and as a member
of the Councils advisory
Committee on Blue Haven
Care.
The RSL has always had
significant and sincere sup-
port from this Council in all
its commemorative endeav-
ours. For 2015 particularly,
we were in step for months
in order to make the
Centenary of Anzac the
success it was.
As a resident I have al-
ways been impressed with
this Councils efficiency
and consideration in all its
dealings with the public as
well as its careful manage-
ment of development.
Where will the new Blue
Haven project be placed
in this accretion of political,
so-called thought and for
that matter how will it af-
fect the existing structures?
Blue Haven Care maybe
Blue Haven Beware might
be more appropriate.
I am unconvinced that
any of this would receive
priority in the proposed
soft shoe shuffle that is
masquerading as an amal-
gamation.
The face of Jamberoo/
Kiama/Gerringong is likely
to undergo significant
change, and not for the
better.
Darrell Clingan Chair of the South Precinct
Committee, Gerringong
The recent involvement
of the South Precinct with
Kiama Council regarding
the public land in Fern
Street, Gerringong, high-
lights the importance of
having a close relationship
with the LOCAL Council.
Any amalgamation with
the very large Shoalhaven
Council area will signifi-
cantly reduce the ability of
LOCAL communities in the
Kiama LGA to discuss in
detail LOCAL issues with
their elected representa-
tives.
The Kiama LGA will
move from having nine
democratically elected rep-
resentatives to a situation
where Kiama is likely to
be just part of the northern
Ward of Shoalhaven LGA
and at the best likely to
have one out of a council of
12 councillors plus the
mayor with detailed knowl-
edge of the area, its history
and the community.
The process that has led
to the recent amalgamation
decisions in NSW will be a
blow for LOCAL represen-
tative democracy and will
leave the citizens of the
Kiama LGA even more
with the feeling that others,
somewhere else are in
charge of our destiny.
The South Precinct will
be arguing strongly in the
coming months for this
decision to be reversed.
Sandra McCarthy Emeritus Mayor, Gerringong
Kiama Council is one of
the oldest local government
areas in NSW, established
three years after the State
Parliament. Its formation
was seen as the govern-
ments solution to provid-
ing and funding local facili-
ties and services.
Over 156 years, the
Council has governed
democratically, successfully
planning, funding and dev-
eloping a level of quality
public infrastructure such
as The Pavilion, Leisure
Centre, libraries, commu-
nity halls and Blue Haven
Aged Care. An exemplary
level of Council service has
maintained and enhanced
our reserves, parks and
foreshores.
Significantly, the invest-
ment in the renewal of
public assets in the past 20
years, and in particular the
establishment of income
generating business units
such as Blue Haven Care,
has ensured a strong finan-
cial future for the Council.
So confident was the NSW
Government in the financial
future of Kiama Council,
they invited them to partner
in the Kiama Hospital re-
development, with Council
being the major contributor
with their Centre for Excel-
lence in Aged Care.
I would like to note
Kiama Council has re-
mained politically stable
and proudly stood alone
when neighbouring councils
lost their elected councillors
and were governed by
administration.
The World Health Org-
anisation has recognised
the Kiama Municipality as
a healthy, sustainable and
inclusive community with
its own identity.
The strong, consistent and
independent local govern-
ance of Kiama Council is
worthy of saving.
Al Marsden Kiama The bigger the crowd, the
smaller the voice. One of
the strengths of our Council
is that residents are given
the opportunity to voice
their opinions.
I doubt the same opportu-
nity would be available
after amalgamation.
We are a major attraction
because of the amenities
that make us a special
place. Beautiful clean
beaches, parks and play-
grounds are our rates at
work. Will the uniqueness
of our town and villages get
the same attention from a
much larger organisation?
Our Council is staffed by
locals who care about our
municipality let's keep it
that way!
No amalgamation!
Phyl Cowell Gainsborough
Ive lived here for 25 years
and I think Kiama Council
is wonderful. We couldnt
improve it, so we mustnt
lose it.
Betty Dallimore Blue Haven resident
Bluehaven has been a very
secure place to live. The
uncertainty is unsettling.
There is absolutely no need
for the merger.
Cliff Mason Minnamurra Progress Assoc
Whilst the Shoalhaven area
may be coastal in nature,
thats where the similarities
stop.
The demography of our
populations are quite differ-
ent as is the track record of
each council the perform-
ance of Kiama Municipal
Council in the timely provi-
sion of local services to the
community is streets ahead.
The community spirit
within Kiama LGA that
works with Council is also
terrific, and Im afraid that
spirit would be lost with an
amalgamated council based
in Nowra and focussed
on an area 100kms south
to Milton/Ulladulla and
beyond.
Kiama would become
the pimple on the fore-
head of an enlarged,
Nowra-centric, council. We
seek Gareth Wards imme-
diate intervention to prevent
this forced amalgamation.
Geoff Boxsell President of Jamberoo Valley
Ratepayers & Residents Assoc
Such an amalgamation
would certainly see a reduc-
tion in representation, and
a reduction in access to
councillors and Council
administration.
The percentage of total
income raised from areas
other than rates is higher for
Kiama Council than most,
if not all, and with amalga-
mation we would see the
benefits of this lost to the
local community.
Kiama Council already
works well with neighbour-
ing councils in sharing
facilities and equipment to
the benefit of its ratepayers.
We need to be mindful
of the recent Queensland
experience where councils
were forced to amalgamate
and subsequently, because
of public pressure, four
shires were permitted to
de-amalgamate a costly
exercise both ways.
We strongly support
Kiama Council in its
endeavour to remain as
a separate entity.
All for nought? Professor Brian Dollery, from
the Armidale Centre for Local
Government, University of
New England, has found no
empirical support to back the
proposition that amalgamation
will improve council perform-
ances or financial positions.
He has also said that councils
articulate the needs and de-
sires of local communities and
when you merge that disap-
pears straight away. You cant
put a dollar amount on it but it
doesn't make it any less real.
Paul Green, Chair of the
Upper House Inquiry into Fit
for the Future found that many
of the NSW Government's Fit
for the Future measures were
unreliable.
The Inquiry also found that:
the Independent Pricing and
Regulatory Tribunal did not
have the demonstrated skills
or capacity to assess the
overall fitness of councils
much of the available evi-
dence appears not to support
claims of cost savings and
efficiency.
Paul Green said, Given the
numerous concerns raised by
stakeholders about the costs of
amalgamations, the Committee
is of the view that the case for
amalgamations, and in particu-
lar, forced amalgamations, has
not been made. The apparent
lack of empirical evidence to
demonstrate the benefits of
amalgamations lends further
weight to these concerns.
Councils play an important
role within the local commu-
nity, especially in regional
areas. We note Inquiry partici-
pants fear that amalgamation
of local councils could mean
a loss of local identity,
community uniqueness and
local decision making.
The importance of keeping
the local in local government
is to ensure it remains close to
the people it serves.
The Independent Local Gov-
ernment Review Panel, chaired
by Professor Graham Sansom,
reported on the Illawarra
Region as follows:
each council appears
sustainable for at least
the medium term
existing boundaries do
not pose significant urban
management problems
Kiama has a distinctive rural
and coastal setting and
'country town' character,
compared to Wollongong
and Shellharbour.
On that basis, his Panel
considered that closer
collaboration through a
Joint Organisation would
enable a sufficient response
to regional challenges for
some time to come.
Strong support from the community
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4
Have your say
In September 2014 the
NSW Government released
a Fit for the Future reform
package for NSW Councils.
Councils were required to
provide a submission to the
NSW Independent Pricing
and Regulatory Tribunal
(IPART) by June 2015
outlining their roadmap
to be Fit for the Future.
Councils were required to
show they could meet four
criteria by 2019-20:
financial sustainability
service & infrastructure
management
efficiency
scale and capacity.
In October 2015, the Gov-
ernment released IPARTs
report Assessment of
Council Fit for the Future
Proposals. IPART assessed
Kiama Council as being
not fit.
The NSW Government
gave all councils the oppor-
tunity to respond to the
IPART report by the 18th
November.
We responded and out-
lined the key points we
believe were not considered
in the IPART assessment.
We outlined the ways in
which we will continue to
work towards being Fit for
the Future and reaffirmed
that we will not be consider-
ing merger options.
The state government
made it clear to Kiama
Council that as it met scale
and capacity it would not
be required to merge with
adjoining councils.
On December 18th,
the NSW Government
announced it proposed to
merge Kiama and Shoal-
haven councils.
Is the not fit status justified? Council was found to be
not fit overall, despite
satisfying the scale and
capacity ratios the major
requirement of the NSW
Governments overall
assessment of fitness.
Kiama Council also met
service and infrastructure
management.
It did not meet all the
financial sustainability
benchmarks or the
efficiency benchmark.
Despite the IPART
findings, Kiama Council
believes it remains in a
strong and sustainable
financial position.
We believe Council is able
to continue to provide assets
and infrastructure to the
high standard expected by
the community.
Council considers that
a number of unique and
highly relevant circum-
stances were not fully
considered in IPARTs
assessment in particular,
the long-term financial
benefit the Centre for
Excellence in Aged Care
will bring to Council.
The assessment failed to
recognise that at that point
in time, Council was able to
show in its submission that
it would be able to meet the
financial benchmark just
two years after the IPART
timeframe.
Since the release of the
IPART report, Council
engaged consultants
Morrison Low who identi-
fied further efficiencies and
savings and determined that
we will be Fit for the Future
by the IPART timeframe of
2019-20. We will be making
every effort to continue
to remain as a stand alone
entity.
Kiama Council believes
its approach to the Fit for
the Future reform process
was sensible, socially and
financially responsible and
entirely consistent with the
state governments objec-
tives. We had not relied,
like many other Councils,
on large rate increases
within the next few years.
Council has in place a
prudent, sustainable and
fully funded 10-year finan-
cial plan.
We are confident we have
the right plans and processes
in place to remain a strong
and independent local Coun-
cil capable of meeting our
communitys expectations.
Whats the next step in the process? There will be a period of consultation that will
run over the next two to three months.
Both the Councils and the community will have
the opportunity to provide input. Both Councils will
continue to operate as normal during this process.
A report will be referred to the Boundaries
Review Commission for advice to the Minister for
Local Government. The Minister will then make
a decision.
How do we compare to other councils? Here are some results from the 2014 comparative local
government statistics:
Average DA processing times
Kiama - 53 days
Shoalhaven - 71 days
Shellharbour - 67 days
Domestic waste not going to landfill
Kiama - 62%
Shoalhaven - 49% (no green waster service)
Shellharbour - 52%
Satisfaction survey results
Every four years, Council has the Illawarra Regional
Information Service undertake a community survey.
The most recent survey results revealed residents have
a relatively high level of satisfaction (76%) with Council's
overall performance, and only a small proportion of resi-
dents (3.2%) were dissatisfied with Council's perform-
ance. Kiama Council's results when benchmarked against
more than 40 other Queensland and NSW councils were
near the top.
A previous survey showed that eighty-nine per cent of
residents wished Kiama Council to remain independent.
To: The Premier of NSW, the NSW Minister for Local Government and MP for Kiama
As a resident of Kiama LGA, I wish to protest strongly about the NSW Governments
proposal to merge Kiama Council with Shoalhaven City Council.
I am particularly concerned about:
Loss of local identity
Loss of local decision making
Reduction in representation
Reduction in service
Reduction in maintenance of parks & buildings
Potential sale of community assets.
The Kiama Municipality has had a strong local council since 1859, and there is no
reason for this to change.
Signed: .. Name: ...
Address: ..
Phone number: .
You might not always be happy with
Councils decisions or the way that
it operates, but at least you have
the opportunity to get involved and
have your views heard.
Local councils are responsible for
providing the following services:
Town planning & building
assessment
Economic development
Environmental health
Dog & cat management
Pest & weed control
Road construction & maintenance
Footpath construction & mainte-
nance
Street lighting
Rubbish collection
Traffic & parking regulations
Public swimming pools
Halls
Cemeteries
Sporting fields, courts & facilities
Arts & cultural programs
Youth advisory services, programs
& activities
Coastal care
Recycling
Tourism information & support
Information services
Parks, reserves & picnic areas
Caravan parks
Aged care
Festivals & events
Food safety inspections.
Which of these would you
be happy to have decided on
by a mega-council?
Sign the Petition which is circulating around town.
Email the NSW Government to voice your concerns:
The Premier www.nsw.gov.au/your-government/contact-premier-new-south-wales
The Minister for Local Government [email protected]
Gareth Ward, Member for Kiama [email protected]
Fill in the details below, cut it out and drop it into our collection points across the LGA for
us to pass on to the state government. Dont delay. Collection points:
Kiama Council Administration office, Kiama Library and Kiama Leisure Centre.
How did we get to this point?
If you want to help stop Kiama losing its independence,
make your feelings known.
Here are the merger benefits listed by the NSW Government in its proposed merger summary on its Council Boundary Review
website, along with our comments:
For four years after the merger, the
Governments policy is that rates will
be frozen at existing paths To be Fit
for the Future, Shoalhaven Council is
relying on the successful application of
a special rate variation from 2017-18
of 21% over two years. If this can not be
implemented, then Shoalhaven will not
be Fit for the Future by 2019-20
Greater capacity to manage the infra-
structure backlog Kiama Council
already has a low infrastructure backlog
The NSW Government will provide
$15 million to meet merger costs and
provide a head start on investing in
services and infrastructure that savings
from the mergers will ultimately support
Mergers have a cost and Council has
appointed an independent consultant
to estimate the cost impact in relation
to any savings
Savings can support investment in critical
local infrastructure and services and/or
be utilised to address rate pressures
The detail on where and how savings
are to be made has not been provided
A stronger balance sheet to meet local
community needs and priorities, includ-
ing average annual savings of $3.4million
generated by the merger from 2020.
The site also gives the Background:
The Independent Local Government Review Panel did not identify this as a high priority merger, on the basis of a number of factors including that each council appeared sustainable for at least the medium term Particular comment was made on Kiamas unique character-
istics. It is an active participant in a joint
organisations of councils.
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal found Kiama Municipal Council as Not Fit at 2019-20 Councils origi-nal proposal indicated it would be fit by
2021-22. It is confident that the measures
it is taking in its revised submission will
make it Fit by the 2019-20 deadline.
Uncertain benefits
Keep in touch with developments at
kiama.nsw.gov.au or Councils facebook page