For me, this has been a more than interesting month.

I’ve collapsed at a council workshop, had rides in ambulances, wires in my heart and a rebore on an existing stent. I discovered that I was a grandfather (first time and although unexpected, most welcome!) and have taken some time to reflect on how we’re doing as a Council and how, in my role as Mayor, I can improve things.

One decision I have made is to focus more on the strategy than the day to day. Many of us have the wrong idea about strategy. We think it's about workshops and documents, and then struggle to understand why everyone's still doing what they've always done.

Much of this stems from a confusion about what strategy really is – spoiler alert: it isn't a document. Strategy is all about how we make decisions, and whether those decisions point us in the same direction. As a Council, we probably already know what needs to happen, we’re just afraid to put a stake in the ground and do it.

I do a lot of work away from the office, but to ensure I still feel the pulse of our wonderful area, I plan to have fortnightly slabs of time just to hear your voices. I will schedule open mornings and afternoons as well as offer set times you can share your ideas, fears and tears about Council.

I want to be at markets with a sign that says “the Mayor is IN” so I can talk directly with you, hear your views and ideas and listen. More about this soon.

For all those who have been concerned about my wellbeing, I am profoundly touched. But know this: my prognosis is good, I will keep being bold, keeping it simple and staying the course. I’m also willing to change it up when required and, to this end, I will continue to reflect on the importance of the civic role myself and my Councillor colleagues hold. Your votes put us here, to represent your ideas and hopes for the future.

We won’t always agree, that is the beauty of democracy, but we will strive to make a difference and add value to our municipality and our community.

One of the most important roles that councils all around Australia play is in planning our communities: the shape of them, the size of them, the height of them and the kinds of parks, libraries, pools, roads that support them.

It’s a complex process, planning, with vision documents, LEPs (Local Environment Plans), DCPs (Development Control Plans) and legislation and regulation heaped on top of each other. Some councils (like us) make decisions on development applications, others have outsourced committees of experts.

Regional panels exist, regional plans abound, and beyond that, there is the State, the Commonwealth and the courts. We all play a part in the complex web that constitutes planning for urban and rural communities.

Some recent decisions our community has seen made by the State about developing our area have not necessarily aligned with what many of us believe is in the best interest of “our place”. We respect the decision makers but, as I said, we don’t always agree. I believe, as do many in the planning arena and other local governments, it’s time for a change.

As we finalise our Town Centre DCP and begin work on important documents such as the Housing Strategy and the Economic Lands Strategy, we need to understand why are we doing this and what are we hoping for.

The answer to that is: to give a local voice and local input into what the shape and look for our communities will be into the future. We are more than just housing targets set by others, we are places for communities, spaces for industry and work, and areas for recreation and environmental protection.

The newly legislated Greater Cities Commission may be able to help. We know that one size will not fit all, as different areas have different demographics, growth needs and character.

What I am interested in achieving is that Kiama Municipal Council finds its place and voice in the region, and among the Greater Cities framework, while still maintaining what is special and unique right here.

For too long, local governments have had to surrender control of planning to state governments and silence local voices. It’s time for change, and who better than us to lead the charge. As the saying goes, all politics is local.