Facing environmental challenges head-on

I focus in my day-to-day life on the positive aspects of our area and the community. This column is no different, but there are two sides to every coin... remember coins?

We live in a place with immaculate beaches, fertile land, and an atmosphere brimming with community spirit. However, like many other regions across Australia, Kiama faces significant environmental challenges that threaten our natural beauty, lifestyle, and future.

Identifying the threats

One of the foremost environmental threats we face is the potential rise in sea levels due to climate change. As a coastal region, even slight increases in sea levels can lead to erosion, damaging our precious beaches and impacting properties situated close to the shore. We're also observing more frequent and intense weather events posing immediate risks to our community's safety and infrastructure.

Additionally, habitat destruction is becoming a concern, primarily due to increasing urbanisation and development pressures. Our native wildlife, including many species that are found only in this part of the world, depend on the preservation of these habitats for their survival.

Lastly, pollution, both in our waters and on land, remains an ever-present danger. Littering, unchecked waste disposal and microplastics are unwelcome guests into our waterways and oceans that can have dire consequences for our environment, marine life, and the health of our community.

Paving the way forward

In the face of these challenges, I'm proud to say that Kiama Municipal Council is taking proactive steps to protect our environment and way of life. Here are some of the key initiatives we are pursuing:

Coastal management plans

Collaborating with experts, we're developing comprehensive coastal management plans to counteract the effects of rising sea levels and increased storm surges.

These plans will involve strategies like dune restoration, revegetation, and building protective infrastructure where necessary.

Green spaces & habitat protection

Recognising the importance of preserving our unique biodiversity, the Council delivers services on biodiversity protection, weed management, sports planning and maintenance of outdoor and natural areas. These efforts not only deliver recreational benefits but also serve to protect, preserve and enhance our green spaces as sanctuaries for wildlife.

Waste management & reduction

We’ve long been leaders waste management. Our Household Bulky Waste and Second Hand Saturday events, waste campaigns, collection services, recycling, fogo and bin audits all help us keep on top of day to day waste management. We are also organising regular community clean-up days, allowing all of us to play a part in keeping Kiama beautiful. Like everyone in local government we do service reviews and waste services is one area where we will be exploring the opportunities and challenges in our current model of delivery.

Community involvement

In the coming months Council will work on finalising our Community Engagement Strategy so that we can better hear from those in our community in more innovative ways. By fostering a community that's well-informed and proactive, we can collectively take steps towards a more sustainable future.

Partnering with local organisations

We currently work with several local groups, such as Landcare, and we’re interested in reaching out to more environmental groups, businesses, and stakeholders to form partnerships. Together, we can share resources, knowledge, and people-power to combat environmental threats more effectively.

Your role in our journey

Kiama's strength lies in its community. While the Council is doing its part, the journey to a sustainable future is a collective effort. I urge every resident to take small yet impactful steps...recycle, conserve water, participate in community waste events, and learn about our local environment.

The challenges we face might be significant, but with determination, unity, and a shared vision, we can ensure that the beauty and essence of Kiama remains intact for generations to come. See, I told you there was an upside!