The planning system in NSW is a chaotic tangle of rules, power plays, and opaque processes. Everyone - from councillors to community members, from farmers to housing advocates and developers - agree it’s broken. Fixing it? That’s an Everest-sized challenge.

But here in Kiama, we face a stark reality: planning and development decisions are not just about us. They are shaped by a hierarchy of policies, overseen by the Minister for Planning, who has the authority to override councils, including ours, at any time.

Planning powers delegated to local councils by the Minister for Planning are conditional. They can be withdrawn, and decisions can be overridden. We’ve already seen this happen. In South Kiama and Jamberoo, the regional planning panel overruled Kiama Council to approve controversial rezonings. And with housing targets now set for every council in the Illawarra, Kiama cannot afford to stand still.

If we fail to meet these targets, the Department of Planning will step in again. More concerning, the Premier has announced that landowners and developers can bypass councils altogether and apply directly to a new state approval body for projects over $30 million. If we don’t act, our council will be powerless to influence what type of development happens in our district.

Some say Kiama doesn’t need to grow. But housing targets aren’t optional and ignoring them isn’t a solution. Worse, refusing to act leaves our district vulnerable to external decisions that prioritise expedience over community needs.

This isn’t just about meeting quotas; it’s about ensuring that growth happens in a way that benefits everyone. Kiama needs a wider variety of housing options: homes for singles, downsizers, young service workers, multigenerational families, and small rentals. Without them, the people who make this community tick will be forced out.

Resistance to any form of development ignores the reality of a region struggling to house its people. It’s simply not acceptable to demand that others sacrifice affordable housing options while refusing to contribute to solutions.

The planning system isn’t fair. It’s complicated, opaque, and often works against local communities. But Kiama Council still has an opportunity to lead, if it acts swiftly and decisively.

Our councillors must step up, show leadership, and engage proactively in shaping our district’s future. By putting forward thoughtful, community-minded planning initiatives, they can retain some control over development and prevent a complete loss of influence. If they don’t, we risk housing projects designed by distant decision-makers who don’t understand or care about Kiama’s unique character.

The housing crisis isn’t an abstract problem. It’s visible every day in rising rents, long commutes, and young people priced out of their hometown. Kiama’s future depends on embracing growth: not unchecked or thoughtless development, but sustainable, inclusive housing that meets the needs of all residents.

The choice isn’t between growth and preservation. The choice is whether we shape Kiama’s future or let someone else shape it for us.