Mike Cains, first on the Mike Cains INDEPENDENT ticket



Locality: KNIGHTS HILL

Meet Mike Cains, a dedicated candidate for the Kiama Council who brings a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted connection to the region. Having lived in the Kiama Local Government Area since 2008, Mike is not only a local businessman and farmer but also a passionate community advocate. His journey from corporate executive roles to founding the successful Pecora Dairy with his wife, Cressida, showcases his commitment to sustainable business practices and community engagement. Mike's vision for Kiama is driven by a blend of strategic thinking, financial literacy, and a profound love for the area he calls home.

I have lived on a farm in Knights Hill since 2008. I have been married for over 20 years to Cressida and we share two grown up children. Cressida and I started the Pecora Dairy business together in 2011. I am a 2021 Australian Nuffield Scholar.

Hand on heart, from first hand experience, Kiama is THE best place to raise a family - start or grow a business. I have had a connection with Kiama my whole life given that I was born and raised in Southern Illawarra. After university and a corporate career, I returned from Sydney with my young family to be a part of the community in the region that I love. I have been particularly fortunate to have been immersed in some outstanding community groups. Particularly, being founding members of the Wednesday Kiama Farmers Market. I am also deeply proud of the difference I make being on the board of the "the Chamber" and helping where I can with the Kiama Show.

Professional background and current occupation

These days I am best known for the work I do as a businessman, farmer and cheesemaker. Before returning to the area, my corporate career encompassed executive roles at Fairfax Media, Managing Director at Herron Todd White Valuers and General Manager at CoreLogic Australia (part of the World's largest data analytics firm).

Our family business, Pecora Dairy, is an energy positive, sustainably run national brand and recent winner of the prestigious Royal Agricultural Society Presidents Medal.

Inspiration to run for Kiama Council

I am proud of what we have in Kiama and what our region has achieved - but there is still much to do. I bring a lens that uses financial literacy and strategic-lateral thinking to achieve outcomes. I have skill sets in agriculture, housing and renewable energy. I will bring these to the tables and contribute where I can.

I am lucky, to have a mature business and great staff, with my youngest child just finishing the HSC - I have the time and energy to give back, to make a bigger contribution to the community that has supported my family and our business from the start.

Qualifications to sit as a councillor

My time in corporate Australia and running my own successful start-up business has given me vital skills.

I have learnt to:

·        Bring People together

·        Solve Problems and

·        Get things done

People want to see professionalism and corporate sensibility to ensuring that Council serves all citizens.

Political persuasion, philosophy and ideology

I am pragmatic, sensible and centred. For instance, I am passionate about finding solutions to climate change but also about smaller more efficient and nimble local government. The key focus needs to be on Councils’ delivery of efficient, effective and friendly services. Strident politics aren’t helpful. We need more ‘doing’ and less squabbling! A collegiate, well-meaning sensible council is vital to ensure this doesn't happen.

In my view, the Council should operate like an effective board, fostering a cooperative spirit devoid of personal attacks and partisan games. In my experience on various boards, directors bring enthusiastic ideas and opinions but ultimately work towards consensus rather than rigidly defending every position. This collaborative approach is crucial for getting things done.

Running as an independent sends a signal to electors that I am determined to be sensible and practical - that my priorities will not be driven by party or ideology or vested interests but fundamentally rooted in what the needs are of our community. I will disclose my involvement in the Liberal party, however, our “Council ticket’ is comprised of ordinary people from all walks of life. My first and only obligation will be to the people of Kiama LGA to make sensible decisions in their interests.

Key issues to address if elected, and primary goals for the community

We must first address the elephant in the room. If we want to immunise ourselves against administration, amalgamation and ever-increasing rate hikes then priority number 1 has to be the maintenance of a sound balance sheet and the pursuit of a sustainable operating surplus.

That aside, some of the specific big challenges are implementing a sensible housing strategy that creates supply and type of dwellings that our community needs whilst being sympathetic to our street scape, green space and agriculture.

We need to ensure that our smaller villages also retain their character whilst at the same time become more viable. For instance, ensuring that Jamberoo can support its own chemist and permanent pre-school facility.

It is foreseeable that the Bombo redevelopment is of key strategic interest to get right and that the planning will occur in the next term of Council.

Fast tracking the harbour revitalisation program and integration with the foreshore that swings around to the showground. The harbour is the jewel in the crown of Kiama’s natural beauty and presents opportunities that have gone begging.

We must ensure that business conditions are set so that we have a strong, robust diverse local economy - that give high quality jobs to young and senior alike.

How to ensure residents’ voices are heard

Recently, I spoke to parents in Jamberoo whose pre-school has been flooded out twice in recent times. They have 100 children on the waiting list and are distressed about the absence of a plan for the future for Jamberoo’s pre-school children. This is one example that shows that there is no substitute to getting out and talking to people from all walks of life and all facets of our community to ensure that Council provides effective essential services for the WHOLE community not just the most vocal.

Previous experience in public service or community involvement

I am proud to be a part of the Kiama Business Chamber board. We have grown to well over 200 members and do an enormous amount of good from advocacy, education training and growing the economic activity (and therefore jobs) in the area.

I am proud to be a founding member of the Wednesday Kiama farmers market, ably run by the indefatigable Tricia Ashelford. The market is now over 10 years old and is a community institution.

Community groups matter, and Council is richer for having their involvement and collaboration. Given the dissolution of the precinct groups I am keen to find alternatives so those voices can be heard.

Having an open door, a listening ear, open eyes and a big heart are essential for councillors. After all, Council doesn't sit atop the community, council must be within and part of the community in order to represent it best. A confident and self-assured council need not be afraid of dissenting voices. We don’t always have to agree but we must listen.

Stance on managing growth and development in an environmentally sustainable way

Local development is an important subject. We haven't been building the sort of dwellings our community needs. The example is that 76 percent of our dwellings are stand-alone houses, yet 49 percent of those dwellings are occupied by no more than two people.

This means that whilst there is a huge demand for smaller dwelling types to reflect the needs of singles, downsizes, seniors, service workers and young starters - the required construction has struggled to materialise. This must be reflected in councils housing strategy.

I am passionate that as a community we can reduce waste and collectively generate more renewable electricity and drive our communities power bills down. Promoting more circularity in our economy so that we reuse, repair and restore is good economics and good for sustainability. I will be proposing an opt-in council wide Virtual Energy Network so that people can effectively trade excess energy with the neighbours.

Approach to fiscal responsibility, budget and funding for key local initiatives and community projects

A great opportunity exists to kick-start more community projects. It is something I have given a great deal of thought to and will be particular focus of mine in Council should I be elected.

I would like to see Council more active in the pursuit of grant monies. To be an effective strategy, Council would create a wish list of projects - prioritise them - and advance them to ‘shovel ready’ status. This means that when the grant funding opportunities are released, we are more likely to succeed in competitive grant processes.

Without planning and readiness inter-governmental assistance will go begging.

I have great respect for the current CEO Jane Stroud and if elected I look forward to working with her and my fellow councillors to focus our attention on bringing region critical projects to fruition.

My process has always been three steps

a)   Analyse

b)   Plan

c)   Execute.

We can build on the work already done but with a business mindset, fresh eyes and new energy.

Partnerships or collaborations to be pursued to benefit the community?

Building brand Kiama should not be focused solely on tourism – but as a driver of economic activity in the production and manufacturing of all sorts of goods and services that benefit the whole community. Think of other LGAs like Byron Bay or Orange – the positioning of their branding promotes regionality that not only draws tourists but increases sales of their region’s products. Think Byron Bay branded everything, from beer, cookies, to fashion etc.

The promotion and strengthening of ‘off season’ tourism should not just be a Kiama town centre focus - but also should drive region wide development like, as just one example, the construction of further bush walking tracks and coastal walks. Like a more durable walkway over the Minnamurra headland to Kiama Downs, Completing the coastal walk between Gerringong and Gerroa and obviously the continuing development of the Harbour precinct and its seamless integration around the showground and on to surf beach.

Breathing life into the night time economy of Kiama is also of particular interest. 

How to address the need for improved local infrastructure and public services for residents

Firstly, Council needs to review its functions and services to determine and focus on what is needed. When organisations have a clarity of purpose and eliminate waste and inefficiency – extraordinary things happen. This is the only way to direct and allocate resources to the areas where our community will derive the most benefit.

Mike Cains is a candidate who understands the importance of both preserving Kiama's unique character and driving forward-looking development. His approach to council is rooted in collaboration, practicality, and a genuine desire to serve the community. By focusing on sustainable growth, enhancing local infrastructure, and fostering a thriving local economy, Mike aims to ensure that Kiama remains a vibrant, resilient, and inclusive place for all its residents. His candidacy offers a promise of dedicated service, practical solutions, and a deep commitment to the well-being of the Kiama community.

Mobile number: 0413584464

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Email address: [email protected]

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