Ahead of this September’s Council election, a number of people have already announced they will be standing, despite registration of candidates and groups not closing until 4 August.

With at least three councillors not standing on 4 September (Councillors Sloan, Westhoff and Honey [confirmed for this article]), and two still undecided (Councillors Way and Steel) the competition is shaping up early.

Kiama Labor branch has announced it will be running an endorsed ticket for the first time in more than twenty years, with its top spot going to 22 year old arts/law student, Imogen Draisma.

Councillors Matt Brown and Don Watson are members of the Kiama Labor branch, but want to run again on an unendorsed ticket.

“I have never have been a big fan of party politics in local government,” says Cllr Brown.

“That is not to say that others can’t have a different view.

“We will be running a separate ticket, but will be supporting the endorsed ticket as well.

"It is good to see some young people looking to get active and involved in the local community.

“We are just focusing on the job as councillors at the moment.”

Councillor Neil Reilly has already put a group together, and will be announcing his team in the near future.

“We’re just finetuning our policies and platforms,” he says.

Karen Lang has also indicated she is standing for the election, and has registered the SAFE Kiama group which already has some signage around town.

She is a community member on Council’s Planning Panel, an active member of Central Precinct, a founder of Kiama Community Radio and is behind the micro-plastics research initiative.

“It’s time we had a council that can work cooperatively, under strong leadership, for the benefit of all ratepayers, rather than the financial gain of a few,” she says.

“I’d like to be part of that, and I’ve shown that I have the commitment, energy and experience to do so.”

With Councillor Andrew Sloan not running for re-election, The Bugle understands the Kiama Greens team will be launching its ticket, led by Councillor Kathy Rice, in late April/early May.