Councillor Matt Brown has called upon Council to release the letter that the Audit Office sent to the Minister for Local Government, Wendy Tuckerman, yesterday.

“It is essential that the Kiama community know the precarious position Council is in,” he says.

“There is a very serious letter saying that Kiama is trading insolvent. If we were a normal business, under Corporations Law, we would have had to call in administrators yesterday.”

He is frustrated by some fellow councillors he sees as wanting to skirt around the edges and not face the big issues.

“Some sections of the public think Council can continue without addressing the huge financial impost of Blue Haven. Blue Haven is taking away enormous resources from our being able to look after the youth, mental health, roads, sports and arts.

“A lot of Blue Haven residents have contacted me to say that they understand they are an impost and that councillors are not expert in running their business. They want professional operators in there running the retirement village.”

Cllr Brown is waiting on Council advice and support from other councillors to make the letter public.

The Bugle has requested a copy of the letter directly from The Audit Office, following the suggestion of the Mayor and CEO.

As reported yesterday [Council: waiting to hear from the Minister], the minutes of ARIC and the Finance Advisory Committee say the letter is expected to outline “the key risks around legislative breaches; adequacy of books and records; and going concern”.