Kiama Council has censured Councillor Karen Renkema-Lang over comments she made during a radio interview with ABC Illawarra on 21 June 2023.

During the ten-minute interview, Councillor Renkema-Lang spoke about Council's vote to reclassify the land that Blue Haven Bonaira occupies from community to operational in order for it to be sold, and why she opposed the decision. You can listen to the full interview here.

She also faced potential action relating to comments that were published in a 23 June newsletter by or on behalf of Councillor Renkema-Lang, but the complaint related to the newsletter was withdrawn.

Kiama Council CEO Jane Stroud announced the official motion following a confidential session of the ordinary council meeting, stating: 

“[Council] officially and formally censure Councillor Karen Renkema-Lang for breaching section 440g by breaching the following clauses of the code of conduct following on from a radio interview on 21 June 2023 where the following breaches were found to be substantiated by the independent investigator:

• Clause 3.1 conducting herself in a manner likely to bring other council officials into disrepute;
• Clause 3.1c conducting herself in a manner that was improper or unethical and;
• Clause 31.1 Breaching the policy code of conduct

The motion also included reviewing Council’s social media to include all forms of media used by or on behalf of councillors regarding their role as councillor, remind councillors to comply with the need to comply with said social media policy and to continue to progress the development of its draft media policy to reflect who can speak for and on behalf of Council regarding Council matters.

No further details were given about the breach of the code of conduct.

You can read Councillor Renkema-Lang's full statement on the censuring here.

Councillor Renkema-Lang joins Mark Croxford as the second Councillor to be censured this year. Councillor Croxford was censured in July 2023 for “conduct that amounts to engaging in intimidation” during a debate surrounding the Golden Valley Way DA in Jamberoo at a Council meeting on 21 March.