A comprehensive list of unanswered questions about the finalisation of the Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club project has been lodged by Cr Melinda Lawton, who is calling for full documentation to be added to Kiama Council’s Asset Register and made available for public accountability.

The detailed question with notice (Item 19.2 on the agenda) for Tuesday's Council meeting) includes more than 50 documentation points spanning compliance certificates, as-built plans, warranties, maintenance schedules, financial reconciliations, environmental assessments and community usage registers.

Cr Lawton described the surf club as “the most recently completed KMC project” and is seeking to ensure all builder and consultant documents have been accurately supplied, stored and referenced.

She is also requesting a clear record of items purchased by lessees, community use logs, and formalised leasing agreements.

“We need to close the loop properly on these major capital projects,” Cr Lawton said. “Our community deserves to know not just what’s been built, but how it’s being maintained, what we’re responsible for, and what’s been handed over.”

Cr Lawton clarified her intent was not to single out the Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club, but to set a consistent standard across all Council-owned assets. 

“I want to make it clear the intention is to do all of this with all assets. I'm using this one as the start because it's the most recently completed,” she said.

In a brief response, CEO Jane Stroud advised that the responsible officer is currently attending the Australasian Management Challenge and a full answer will be provided at the May meeting.

The motion follows Cr Lawton’s earlier push for a full audit of Council’s asset records, signalling a broader call for governance rigour, particularly around high-profile, community-facing infrastructure.