Today sees Kiama Council, and other NSW councils, enter 'caretaker' mode to prevent the outgoing council from making major decisions that will bind the new council or limit its actions.

To keep Council functioning, authority has been delegated to the CEO to accept tenders, determine DAs and perform civic and ceremonial functions.

The term of all current councillors will end on election day, 4 December.

Kiama will be without a governing body until the first meeting of the new Council on 11 January 2022, when the councillors will be sworn in and a mayor elected from amongst them.

Pre-polling opens 22 November, and postal vote applications close 29 November. Note, there will be no absentee voting this year.