Concern over the role of Council’s recently convened Housing Strategy Reference Group (originally called a Steering Committee) led to the temporary pause of all committees, working groups and reference groups under Council’s management being imposed at the March Council Meeting.

Not only was the group’s role unclear, membership of the group was not made public, which caused speculation.

The pause will continue until a policy on their function and use is established.

In particular, the policy will stipulate that active property developers, or any other business entities, will be prohibited from participating on groups or committees that can unduly influence land zonings, LEP controls and development standards.

Groups whose work has been paused include the Tree Management Policy, Gerringong and Jamberoo Flood Studies, the Disability Inclusion Action Plan Reference Group, the Jamberoo Heritage Review Group, the Kiama Heritage Review Group, the Town Centre DCP, Youth Week and other youth projects, Revel in May and more.

For all these groups, appointment of members has always been an operational decision.