Kiama Council has resolved to do away with its four precinct committees as formal council committees in favour of its new committee structure.

The change means that the four precinct groups, Central Precinct, South Precinct, Jamberoo Valley Ratepayers and Residents Association, and the Minnamurra Progress Association can continue to operate, but will not operate under Council’s precinct guidelines. 

This also means that Council will no longer include the minutes of precinct committees in its Council Business Papers, and Council will no longer maintain these guidelines.

Kiama Council will continue providing financial support to the committees for the next 12 months, which includes $500 per year for administration and publicity, $99 per year for a Microsoft Office subscription, and a second laptop or notebook for minute taking and correspondence, a free venue for meetings, and personal accident insurance.

Council has also established two new committees: the Sustainable Communities Committee, and the Infrastructure and Liveability Committee, and appointed four members of the community to each new committee. Kiama Council will review this structure in 12 months, as well as whether to continue financially supporting the precinct committees.

Speaking to The Bugle, Kiama Mayor Neil Reilly said the previous precinct guidelines no longer fit into the new committee structure. One of the primary reasons for this is that their membership bases are fluid. 

He said that some precinct meetings are sparsely attended, but when there is a major issue, attendance can dramatically increase, making it difficult to gauge the actual sentiment of the community.

“If you got a unanimous vote to say we don’t want surf schools from eight people on one night, and you held the same poll with 120 people on a different night who were for surf schools, it’s just not equitable.”

Mayor Reilly added that being a member of a formal council committee limits member’s abilities to become activists as they are bound to adhere to Council’s code of conduct.

“Nothing will change in terms of [their] operation, but [they] will be in control of it, not us. If you want to speak against Council, you may, but if you speak against Council as a Committee of Council, you can’t do it. You can criticise the process but you can’t criticise Council.”

The full lineup of Kiama Council committees is listed below, along with the Councillors that were appointed to represent them on 19 September.

• Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (legislated) - Jodi Keast

• Traffic Committee (legislated) - Stuart Larkins & Mark Croxford

• Performance Review Committee - Neil Reilly, Imogen Draisma, Stuart Larkins & Mark Croxford

• Finance Advisory Committee - Neil Reilly & Karen Renkema-Lang

• Tourism and Economic Advisory Committee (Destination Kiama) - Matt Brown & Warren Steel

• Sustainable Communities Advisory Committee 

• Infrastructure and Liveability Advisory Committee 

• Blue Haven Advisory Committee