Speculation is rife about who is behind the market research of local residents that has been conducted over the last few days.

Intriguingly, the phone calls, from a call centre operated by Tasmanian-based market research company EMRS, ask for views about the performance of Kiama Council, five of its councillors (Rice, Brown, Rielly, Croxford and Draisma) and its CEO, and the State Member Gareth Ward, and attitude towards the South Kiama development and further greenfield housing development in the area.

It then asks whether the inclusion of elements such as an agricultural college or affordable housing would make the respondent feel more favourable to further greenfields development.

Is it to do with the looming state election or someone looking to do further development? Everyone we asked seemed as intrigued as the other, before pointing us off in another possible direction.

“I’m bemused by the purpose of the survey, but am particularly concerned that our staff are being mentioned in the questions,” says Mayor Neil Reilly.

“It is a grossly inappropriate invasion of their privacy to the point that it negates its validity as an ethical survey.”