The Kiama Council election count is underway and independent Group A (McDonald-Warren) is taking the lead ahead of major parties Labor and Greens.

In a surprising political shift, Kiama has rallied behind independent team McDonald-Warren, marking a significant departure from past voting patterns and a desire for greater local representation.  

Cameron McDonald at the helm of the group is a well-known figure in the Kiama community, partner at Culleton Lawyers and President of the Kiama and District Business Chamber. 

Group A ran under the slogan ‘community minded, business focused’ and has raked in the majority of formal votes, 4000 secured out of 11,000 formal votes counted.

McDonald addressed residents at a candidate forum during the campaign, noting the fraught dire situation Council has been left in.

“The system is under stress, we need to make this LGA the best it can be, it’s full of promise.”

He has stated the group’s focus areas are financial sustainability, improving infrastructure, creating an open and transparent council and bolster Kiama’s local employment and businesses.

“In local government, it’s community people for the community. I think that really played in our favour,” McDonald said in a statement to the Illawarra Mercury.

Kiama residents are holding incoming councillors to a high standard, wanting the financial position of Council resolved after slow improvements in the previous two years. 

Community members hope new voices on Council will see significant improvements in the chambers.

2021-22 saw an overall loss of $10 million, and a slight improvement in the following financial year saw Council record a $7.7 million loss.

Labor Councillor and Deputy Mayor, Imogen Draisma, said the priority for the next term of Council will be “getting back to black.”