Deputy Mayor Melissa Matters took the chair for the first time at Kiama Council’s 15 April meeting and did so with poise, patience and good humour in what proved to be one of the most packed and passionate meetings of the year.

From funding calls to facility fees and fiery exchanges over car parks and coastal impact, there was no shortage of material to test her mettle.

But Cr Matters remained calm and composed, steering a marathon agenda with the support of councillors and staff, and making space for a range of views across the chamber.

The night began with a debate over Council’s unsuccessful bid for the state’s Entertainment Precinct Kickstart grant.

Cr Stuart Larkins pushed for a revised approach, arguing Kiama met the eligibility criteria under point (c), which allows for councils that have passed a resolution to develop a night-time economy strategy and have supporting plans.

“This motion should be about advocating for our application, not attacking the rules,” he said.

Cr Matt Brown, Cr Imogen Draisma and others backed the move, with Cr Michael Cains urging a stronger stance in lobbying the state. “Our community keeps getting the rug pulled out. Aged care, roads, tourism funding.”

The amendment passed five to three, and Council will now ask the state to reconsider Kiama’s application based on its existing commitments.

Council also deferred Round 2 of the Community Grants Program to review policy compliance, but not before approving $2000 in funding to ensure the Jones Beach Boardriders' May event could go ahead.

A proposal from Woolworths to introduce time limits and boomgates in its Kiama car park raised major red flags for councillors.

The move could displace staff parking into residential streets and affect older patrons and long-stay diners.

Council voted to defer the decision, seek feedback from the Traffic Committee, and to consider the impact on vehicle flow and pedestrian safety.

Meanwhile, a development application for a Kennards self-storage facility on Shoalhaven Street was formally refused. Despite late efforts to find a compromise, councillors said the bulk and scale of the proposal were not appropriate for a residential zone.

Cr Brown noted it exposed a deeper issue. “We’ve got serious employment land located in the wrong places. This is a legacy planning problem we have to fix.”

The mood sharpened over a last-minute amendment proposing venue hire fees for the upstairs space at the newly built Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club.

Cr Melissa Lawton and Cr Erica Warren argued it was time to monetise the space and reduce Council’s maintenance burden.

The building was built with grant funding and sits on community land, making the question of access and revenue particularly sensitive.

Others, including Cr Brown and Cr Larkins, criticised the process as rushed and lacking consultation with the surf club.

“This was dropped on us at one minute to midnight,” said Cr Brown. “It’s not how we build trust.”

Council opted to progress core planning documents to public exhibition and consider hire fees separately, allowing time for community input and clarity.

 Cr Matters ended her first meeting in the chair with good grace and a steady hand. It was not an easy gig, but she made it look that way.