There is an old joke that a camel is a horse designed by a committee...probably not fair toeither animal, or committees.In the grand scheme of things, committees often get a bad rap. They're wrongly seen asslow-moving, self-centred and find it difficult to reach a decision. Let’s try to change thisperspective.We at council are forming two new committees, to be the hub of many others. Coremembers will be people who are able to manage a wide range of disciplines, have an openmind, are good with people, have a sense of priorities and who are not afraid to suggest acamel if necessary.We are looking for two lots of three outstanding individuals to become the core of a new ideaof committees.The proposed committee structure shares some similarities with matrix management, asboth involve the integration of individuals from different areas of expertise into teams. We’recurrently recruiting for our core members, but we’ll also invite additional experts to join fromtime to time, in order to address specialist needs and promote community engagement.We need people with boundless enthusiasm, capable of injecting our committees with asurge of energy, contagious excitement. We also need strategic thinkers; masterminds whocan see the big picture, with the ability to juggle multiple tasks and connect the dots. In themidst of all this, we also need people who can bring a sense of calm and perspective to thetable, soothing voices of reason.All this will combine into two additional committees, which can pull in extra help whenneeded, to consider the vast diversity of work that our community expects and deserves.This work will encompass things like the creation of walking tracks, management ofcompanion animals, ensuring we respectfully reference our First Nations people, caring forthe environment and listening and acting on the ideas of the young and much more.So, if you're ready to embark on this delightful committee adventure, where we work hard,enjoy harder, and form bonds that last a lifetime, then we want you!Join us in creating committees that will shatter stereotypes and redefine the way wecollaborate. Together, we'll write a story filled with teamwork, laughter, and maybe a camelor two. Submit your application today, and let's make these committees the stuff of legends!Lastly but not leastly two shout outs: One for our Deputy Mayor who wrote so eloquently inthe last column about Volunteers, and secondly a farewell for Cathy Law, formerly of TheBugle. Anyone would be hard-pressed to do what she did, as well as she did and asefficiently as she did. We all owe her.

At the outset, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our community for their support at the most recent State Election. It is an enormous honour and privilege to serve our community in Parliament and I will continue to work hard every day to ensure our community is never forgotten and that we secure outcomes that matter most. I write this column as Parliament resumes for its second week and I have already given notice of a bill to address local residents concerns around agritourism, asked questions in Question Time of the Premier on State-based disability supports and homelessness, placed a range of questions on notice to Ministers on everything from the transfer of Jamberoo Mountain Road to the State Road network, environmental concerns around the Dunmore Hard Rock quarry, support for local dairy farmers due to the Country Valley Pty Ltd going into administration, safety improvements on the Kiama Bends and promised upgrades to local schools – just to name a few! To form a majority government in NSW, a party or coalition parties require 47 seats in the Legislative Assembly. As the current government only has 45 seats, the government require the support of the cross-bench to pass its agenda. As the first independent MP for Kiama, I have been addressing each issue before the Parliament on its merits and putting the views of our community at the heart of each decision I make on your behalf. I have supported Government Legislation to protect Sydney Water front future privatisation by placing Sydney Water in the NSW Constitution. I have also offered my support to the NSW Government to increase wages for our frontline workers like nurses, ambulance officers, and fire fighters. However, I am concerned with government plans to abolish the Active Kids Rebate which provides $100 to each school-aged child to participate in out-of-school sport. I think we can all agree that the more time kids spend being active rather than in front of device, the better off the next generation will be. I have established a petition calling for the government to retain this initiative to support families with the costs of living and the petition can be signed on-line on my website: Petition to continue the Active Kids Rebate Program - Gareth Ward MP for Kiama I have also responded to local parent concerns around seat belts on school buses. I think every child travelling to school on a bus should have a seat and a seat belt and I have commenced a petition calling on the NSW Government to fund improvements to our bus network to ensure student safety. You can sign this petition on my website: PETITION TO FAST TRACK SEATBELTS ON SCHOOL BUSES IN KIAMA - Gareth Ward MP I also moved to establish an inquiry into training for frontline emergency services who engage with people living with cognitive impairment or cognitive decline following the tragic events involving Claire Nowland. Sadly, the Government didn’t support this proposal. Should you wish to visit Parliament, I would be more than happy to host any community groups that would like to attend Question Time and tour the building. Feel free to contact my office to make arrangements. 

They say all publicity is good publicity, but right now, Kiama is blessed with bloody great publicity.And it’s all about people wanting to come here from somewhere else.A couple of months after The Australian crowned us as Australia’s most liveable town, The Sydney Morning Herald has got in on the act, labelling us “a stunning place to visit”.Last week, the Herald’s Traveller sung Kiama’s praise as the perfect place for a family-friendly weekend getaway:“The range of accommodation…the vibrant community feel…the astonishing natural beauty that surrounds it all and all the activities makes possible.”On top of that, they singled out a smorgasbord of great places to eat, name-dropping Olive & Vine, Silica, Miss Arda, JJ’s, El Corazon Cocina de Mexico and Hanoi on Manning.It's nothing locals don’t already know, but it’s exciting to see in newsprint, nonetheless.It also points to an important truth: tourism is the lifeblood of Kiama’s economy.According to Tourism Australia, travelers bring in $244 million to local coffers every year.And the number of people coming here is on the up – average annual visitor growth was 4.3 per cent between 2013 and 2019.We asked the Kiama Council what most of them were coming to see.Unsurprisingly, the blowhole is the most popular spot for visitors, attracting more than a million people a year.The second most popular spot is the beach while, over on kiama.com.au, the top two search terms are “Kiama Coast Walk” and “Markets”.It's The Bugle’s view that the more people visit Kiama, the better. We should do everything we can to encourage people to come for a weekend.But one thing we ought to have a conversation about is making sure people who spend time here spend money here too.According to the Council, the average spend for domestic tourists who come for the day is $95.We should be aiming to double the daily spend.We don’t just want to see Sydneysiders drive down to look at the blowhole, we want them to ride around town on a rented e-bike from Kiama Cycles & Sports, grab fish and chips for lunch from Jaws and browse the offerings at Bombo Clothing Co.The Bugle thinks this should be the goal of all tourism advertising: don’t just come for something, come for everything.We look forward to putting this to the Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward, when we interview him shortly.

In the last 12 months, state and federal governments have introduced tax concessions designed to tip the balance in favour of electronic vehicles (EV) and plugin hybrids.From 1 July 2022, employers do not pay Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) on eligible electric cars and associated car expenses. For small business owners or employees that have access to salary packaging, this represents a substantial tax-saving opportunity if you are in the market for a new car for the business, family, or family associate. Because eligible EVs & Plugin Hybrids are exempt from FBT, there are no private use adjustments, the car can be for either business or private use, and the car expenses, including depreciation and finance costs, can be claimed in full for tax purposes. The car must be provided as part of a salary package to an employee or associate (including a family member). For most owners, the tax savings are equivalent to 5% to 10% of the cost of the car each year. What is an eligible Electric Vehicle or Plugin Hybrid? The car must be a zero or low-emissions vehicle – battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, or plugin hybrid.The car must be held and used for the first time after 1 July 2022. Therefore, the tax savings apply to new and used cars if the vehicle was not registered until after 1 July 2022.  "During my search for a car, the car industry was unaware of the importance of the 1 July 2022 first use date," said Garry Pinch, a partner at Accounting Professionals. "They kept quizzing me why I wanted to know when the car was first registered. "Given the tax savings were between $2000 to $8000 each year, depending on whether the car was first registered after 1 July 2022, I would have thought it was material enough for the broader car industry to be aware." The car must not have been subject to the luxury car tax ie; for cars first purchased in the 2022/23 financial year, the GST-inclusive cost must be less than $84,916. Some things to be wary of – If you buy a car privately, you most likely won't get a tax invoice and cannot claim the 10% GST credit back.  "If you are considering buying an eligible EV, it might be best to buy from a dealer or a business/private owner that is registered for GST and will provide you a tax invoice because your employer can claim the GST credit and pass on the tax savings to you as part of the salary package," Pinch explains. Don't rely on others to determine whether the car you are looking at is eligible for the FBT concessions – do your homework or seek some advice from a tax expert. In NSW, electric vehicles and some low-emission petrol-electric hybrid vehicles are not subject to transfer duty & receive a concession on the motor vehicle tax. The concession is automatically applied when you register your car. The exemption from transfer duty makes purchasing used EVs & Plugin Hybrids an attractive proposition because you don't pay any duty irrespective of the value of the eligible car. Other potential future benefits unless the law changes –Eligible cars first used after 1 July 2022 will always be eligible cars even if the original owner sells the car in the future. All the tax benefits are transferred to the new owner if they salary package the car through their business or employer. The transferability of the tax concessions could substantially enhance the resale value of post-1 July 2022 eligible cars compared to pre-1 July 2022 EVs and all cars that are not low-emission cars (petrol and non-plug-in hybrids). Note the FBT concession for Plug-in Hybrids winds down from 1 April 2025, so this could limit transferability of the benefit for Plug-in Hybrids.Battery repairs and replacements are fully tax deductible for eligible vehicles. So, when it is time to replace the battery, if the vehicle is still part of a salary packaging arrangement, owners of eligible vehicles will be able to get the 10% GST back on their battery replacement plus the tax savings on the full tax deduction for the cost (pre-GST) of the battery through their salary package.If you change employers or start a new business, you can transfer the eligible car and maintain the salary packaging benefits and related tax savings to the new employer if they also offer salary packaging.

Note: The content of this message solely reflects the independent comments & views of Clr Karen Renkema-Lang and is not a communication or product by or of Kiama Municipal Council.Dear residents, ratepayers & business owners in the Kiama LGA,The purchase of the Barroul Estate by the Kiama District Hospital Committee in December 1924 was a defining moment in Kiama’s history; the beginning of a century of passion, commitment and generosity of many generations of Kiama people. Together they wove the fabric of caring for the aged and the vulnerable into the psyche of Kiama’s culture.  We are now on the cusp of another defining moment in Kiama’s history; looking to “divest” not just a parcel of land and some buildings but decades of volunteering, donating, door knocking and community led fund raising that created Kiama’s retirement village, aged care facility and home care services, and community transport services – Blue Haven Care.I will continue the fight to preserve as much of this priceless community asset as possible.To pursue the other options that are available for boosting Kiama’s cash position and improving Councils financial management.At the very least, I’ll be calling for any sale of Blue Haven Bonaira to be restricted to not-for-profit organizations that have a history of providing good quality aged care in our region. I’ll be doing all that I can to keep the historic Barroul House with its tranquil front garden and fountain as a community owned asset, so that members of the public are able to visit it for many generations to come.On Monday Kiama Council is holding a public hearing to allow members of the Kiama Community to have their say on whether or not the land at Blue Haven Bonaira should be reclassified from community to operational land. This is necessary step before the sale of Blue Haven Bonaira (including the heritage listed Barroul House, residential independent living units, aged care facility, home care services and community transport) can be completed.I urge you to come along to the Public Hearing to hear what others in the community have to say. It is scheduled for Monday 22 May 2023 from 5.30pm to 7.30pm in the Council Chambers, 11 Manning Street Kiama. You’ll need to register here if you would like to attend.And remember I’m always interested to hear your views. Feel free to call or email me, or drop by Short Black Cafe in Kiama for one of my regular coffee & chat sessions. The dates are on my website safekiama.org/your-thoughts/.As you know I am a passionate advocate for democracy and your voice is part of that. Yours Sincerely, Clr Karen Renkema-LangNote: The content of this message solely reflects the independent comments & views of Clr Karen Renkema-Lang and is not a communication or product by or of Kiama Municipal Council.

Not a single event, community service or initiative happens in our community without the hard work and dedication of volunteers.This National Volunteer Week (15-21 May), the focus is on how volunteers are change makers.As Councillors, we celebrate ‘Change Makers’ – and this means taking the opportunity to thank the many volunteers in our local community who give their time, expertise and their care to others.This week, I reflect on the many change-making initiatives started right here in Kiama, such as the Man Walk, that are changing the lives of people across the country.To play our important part in all of this, Kiama Council is holding our first ever Volunteer Expo on 24 May at the Kiama Farmers Markets (postponed from 17 May due to inclement weather).We’re keen to celebrate the positive changes our volunteers make in and around our municipality. We also want to promote volunteering and help our local organisations to recruit more volunteers. Although Kiama has a slightly higher proportion of volunteers than the national average, statistics from Volunteering Australia show the rate of volunteering through an organisation has declined over time.For people aged 18 years and over, the rate has declined from 36.2% in 2010 to 28.8% in 2019. Both men and women are volunteering less. Therefore I urge any locals who have been thinking about how they might ‘give back’ or contribute more to our community to consider giving volunteering a go.Not sure where to begin? We’ve made it easy to explore opportunities in volunteering. Our Volunteer Expo provides a chance for you to chat to around 30 different local organisations and find out what activities you can support and get involved with.There’s something for everyone – with representatives of organisations on hand including the Red Cross, Vinnies, Sing Australia, CWA, Lions Club, The University of the Third Age and more. You can also speak to Council representatives about volunteering at Blue Haven or the Kiama Visitor Centre.According to Volunteering Australia, the most common types of organisations for which people volunteered were those relating to sport and physical recreation (30.7% of volunteers), religious groups (23.1%) and education and training (18.8%).Volunteering Australia’s definition of volunteering is “time willingly given for the common good and without financial gain.” And it is estimated that around a fifth (over 5 million) of Australians volunteer at some point each year. I hope you’ll be one of them.Finally, on behalf of the community, I’d like to thank all of our volunteers – for all the early starts, patrols, rescues and fundraising that you do to make our community thrive.

The last time property was this expensive, Bob Hawke was Prime Minister, MC Hammer was on top of the charts with “U Can’t Touch This” and Peter Sterling was about to win his second Rothmans Medal.That was September 1990 – when the average Aussie needed to shell out 45.5 per cent of their income to buy a house.Today, that same figure is 45.4 per cent.It's a good way of illustrating just how hard ordinary people are getting hit by the Reserve Bank’s interest rate hike-athon.And, of course, buyers aren’t the only ones getting smashed by successive rate rises. Families with a mortgage – including thousands who took out loans on Phil Lowe’s promise rates were going nowhere until 2024 – are under the pump. And they’re under the pump in a big way.According to Finder, more than four hundred thousand households missed a mortgage payment in the second half of last year.It's no secret mortgage stress is a massive problem in Kiama.A couple of months ago, the Illawarra Mercury interviewed a local family forced to sell their car to help keep up with mortgage payments, which had gone up by $1300 a month.That’s $15,000 a year extra for a family already paying lots more for electricity, petrol, and groceries. Given the 2021 Census found Kiama’s average monthly mortgage payment was $2194, it’s safe to assume locals are now on the hook for at least $3000 a month.How are families supposed to get ahead and plan for the future when it costs that much just to keep a roof over their heads?Speaking to Kiama business owners this week, it’s clear these rate hikes are rippling through the local economy – people are spending noticeably less.A local hair studio owner in Kiama, says her turnover is down and her cash flow has taken a hit.“Customers have been rescheduling their appointments because they simply can’t afford it. It’s hard,” she said.A similar story for Darren Longbottom, owner of Zink Surf, who says he’s been forced to cut costs and is looking hard at layoffs.“A business is no different to a personal or family budget. Along with obvious slowing trade, we have a cost to business which is increasing with not only inflation but with what seems like endless rising interest rates,” he said.It's not just mortgage holders up against it, though - renters are in a similar boat.When the Census was published two years ago, the average weekly rent in the Kiama LGA was $485.Today, of the 74 available rentals in Kiama and surrounding suburbs on realestate.com.au, only 7 are on the market for $485 or less and there’s nothing with two bedrooms for less than $600.Last week, The Bugle promised to start a new conversation about the future of our community.We’re speaking up about interest rates and the cost of living today because our community literally doesn’t have a future if solutions aren’t found to make property more affordable.That’s why, in the coming months, every time we speak to an elected official – be it the Mayor, an MP, or a Minister – this will be our first question. And it should be yours too.

Earlier this year, The Australian newspaper crowned Kiama as Australia’s most liveable town.In their story about the award, the newspaper spoke to local couple Lau Amadeo and Thais Chikhani, who moved here five years ago to start a new life with their young family.You might know Lau and Thais as the owners of award-winning coffee shop Little Earth Roasters on Tingira Crescent (The Bugle recommends the Reuben Toastie). When the newspaper asked Lau why his family chose Kiama, he said it was because “the community is great” and “the people who live in Kiama are amazing”.He also spoke about the natural beauty of the area and our laid-back lifestyle. “The rolling hills, the ocean, it’s really nice outdoors all the time, the kids are always at the park of the beach. It’s safe, I don’t worry about anything, we have no worries here”, he said.The Bugle couldn’t have put it better – Kiama really is one of a kind. So, it’s no surprise we were named Australia’s most liveable town.But no town, including ours, is perfect. There’s always more work to do.The Bugle hopes this recognition on the pages of the national broadsheet sparks a fresh conversation about the future of our community.We might be the best place to live, but how do we become the best place to raise a family, the best place to start a business and the best place to enjoy retirement?How do we make sure young people in our community have access to the same opportunities as their Mum and Dad?And how do we make sure everyone who calls Kiama home feels the same way about our community as Lau Amadeo?These questions should be front of mind for all the local decision-makers at Kiama Council, as well as ourrecently re-elected State MP Gareth Ward and our Federal MP Fiona Phillips.Answering these questions won’t be easy, and will take time.But the first step is starting the conversation – and making sure everyone’s voice is heard. That’s our job here at The Bugle.Together, we look forward to making our one-of-a-kind community even better.

We are a strong, adventurous, creative and courageous community. Our way of life supports our economy, global or local, regional or on our own street, we call this place home.The above words are from the vision outlined in our Community Strategic Plan (CSP) 2022-2032, a document our community, Councillors and staff worked hard to create at the beginning of our Council term last year. I thought of them this week when I turned my mind to tourism. In a summer-friendly area as ours, tourism seems a given during the warm months.However, as the seasons turn to cooler days and darker nights, I’m even more aware of the beneficial influences our tourism industry brings to our area, our people and our economy.It is my belief that if we understand that tourism is good for the area, the benefits should flow to us all. So, what we do for tourists, we do for ourselves as well.Council’s tourist arm, Destination Kiama, recently conducted its Local Tourism Survey, which received almost 400 responses from locals, local businesses, tourists and tourism operators.One of the top responses was a desire for more local events in off-peak periods. This is why, as winter’s chill descends upon our idyllic seaside lives, Council (and others) are preparing to transform our place into a captivating winter wonderland, with a dazzling display of festive lights, engaging events, and winter cheer, turning the frosty season into an unforgettable, lovely Kiama winter.Our keystone event for the season will be the 2023 Kiama Winter Festival, held during the school holidays and once again bringing a real ice rink to central Kiama from 7 to 12 July.This is the sort of family friendly, all-ages, accessible activity that you’ve told us you enjoy and we’re thrilled to be providing. As an added bonus, there will also be igloos!In terms of priorities for tourism projects in general, the highest response was for walk, cycle and nature-based experiences. This is hardly surprising, as we know our community loves and values our stunning natural environment. In fact, Pillar 2 of our CSP says: “We thrive in a sustainable environment” and has outcomes built around protecting our people, our place, our flora and fauna and valuing our natural environment of spectacular beaches, rainforests and rolling hills.Our CSP also says we’ll work together to understand and respond to the need for growth and change and will create a strong and diverse economy.Nowhere is this more apparent than in our tourism sector, where our local operators have had to pivot and pivot again to meet the challenges of the past few years. I’m proud to see what has been achieved and what continues to be apparent: we have so many thriving local businesses and new ones every day.The appreciation for this is reflected in the Tourism Survey, in which respondents said they value our town and village streetscapes and love new activations, niche and growing visitor sectors, such as accessible tourism.A brilliant example was Council’s recent Sun Up Surf and Skate Festival in Kiama Downs (put on by Destination Kiama in partnership with Surfing NSW and with funding from the NSW Government), which saw an area transformed into a local festival that had not traditionally been used that way.So as the nights draw in, rest assured that the good times will not cease. Your Council is working hard to ensure locals, businesses and visitors alike can enjoy our wonderful area all year round.On the King's CoronationThe Coronation of His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort will occur at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6 May, 2023. On behalf of the Council of Kiama, I wish the new King the happiest of reigns and offer him and his family all the warmth of our community’s feelings.

Change is an inevitable part of life. Whether we welcome it with open arms or resist it with all our might, it is a constant force that shapes our lives. Our community is currently experiencing a period of growth, innovation, and new possibilities.Here’s an update on some of the exciting changes happening around us and how they may impact you.First, I have some fantastic news regarding Akuna Street. We sold the property late last year, and the new owners are planning to bring not one, but two supermarkets to the area!Eddy Haddad, director of Level 33 Property Group, which bought the site, has also revealed plans for a gym and a selection of stylish venues in the currently underutilised space behind our Terralong Street shops.In addition to these developments, we have welcomed a new state government and not one but two new local ministers.Ryan Park, the Minister for the Illawarra and Member for Keira, has expressed his keen interest in Kiama. I have known Mr Park for some years, and he is a long-time friend of Kiama MP Gareth Ward. We are looking forward to scheduling a meeting with Minister Park in the near future.Our other local minister is Paul Scully, Member for Wollongong, who has been appointed the new Minister for Planning and Public Spaces. I know Minister Scully, as an Illawarra representative, has a detailed understanding of the challenges facing coastal communities, including in Kiama and across the Illawarra.I am looking forward to working with Minister Scully and I have invited him to visit Kiama as soon as possible to discuss how we can make our local communities the best possible places to live, work, and play.I am also proud to announce Council’s progress toward financial stability. We have planned better budget controls, reduced unnecessary expenses, and begun more accurate long-term financial planning to secure our future prosperity. This includes divesting from certain assets that others will more effectively manage.Our focus is now shifting to enhancing the delivery of public services. We will soon be commencing reviews of some of our key services, with an eye towards streamlining processes, investing in technology, improving efficiency and continuing to provide a great ‘customer experience’ to you, our community.Another change I am happy to report is that we have received the sign-off on our audit for the 2020-21 financial statements, with the Auditor General moving past our previous financial uncertainties. This marks a significant step forward, although there are still many more to take. Our path to continued progress is clearly outlined in the updated Strategic Improvement Plan 2 for Kiama Council, which was endorsed at this week’s ordinary meeting on 18 April.Lastly, your Council has changed significantly over time. Things are more complex now.Lucky for us, we have recently discovered that, while complexity is hard, it is not a bad thing.Complex systems, like in nature, are more resilient and adaptive. We lose our more fragile parts as we go through adversity and come out the other side smarter, stronger and better prepared for the next change that will inevitably arise.

It’s the NSW State election this weekend and although our local council elections are a year or so behind us, I doubt there is a single councillor who won’t remember how it feels. We recall the anxiousness, the sheer mental effort and the excitement that our state candidates are experiencing right now.After Saturday, we’ll know who we’ll be working with for the next four years. In the leadup, if you’re looking to quiz your potential State representatives on how they’ll represent local issues, here’s what I’d suggest you ask them:Ask your candidate, if elected, what are their plans for Jamberoo Mountain Road? It was a state road, but the government abdicated ownership, now we must beg, cap in hand to receive funding for repairs. We need the state’s help, if not to take it back, to provide enough money to go beyond repairing this vital arterial road. We need to rebuild it better, so it will stay solid through the next downpour and the next decade.Ask the party reps if their candidate will step up on water and sewerage. Our state-managed water and sewerage utilities, stormwater and water management systems have been allowed to deteriorate to a Dickensian state. Poor health, overflows, a big pong and toilet paper bubbling up in the main street after every storm is unacceptable.In terms of local planning, we must work with a set of local planning regulations that were made in Macquarie Street back in 1993. During the past 40 years, the legislation has had so many tweaks and stitched-up sections it looks Frankenstein.Ask your candidate: will they be providing additional resources to work with councils to make a new fit-for-purpose system that is sympathetic to our needs and not just the needs of developers? And while they’re at it, what will they do to improve the NSW Planning Portal to enable it to deliver efficiencies and reduce costs for councils?We live in a lovely spot, and thankfully many of us have secure housing, but we’re in the midst of a state-wide housing crisis. Housing is a basic human need and key to a healthy, prosperous and equitable society. Ask how your candidate plans to work with Kiama Council on design, masterplanning and the acquisition of appropriate sites while retaining our valued green spaces. Also, what can they do to ensure our children and key workers are not priced out of local markets?Tell your candidate that your council and communities across our LGA are suffering from the impacts of skills and labour shortages, which slow economic recovery and hamper productivity. Will they invest in initiatives to attract and retain skilled labour to local government and local businesses, particularly in regional areas such as ours?Will they invest in training and professional development beyond the metro areas? And what initiatives will they instigate to assist local farmers, businesses and the visitor economy?We also need investment in better waste, recycling, green power and circular economy solutions.You can be assured that, whoever is elected, your Mayor and the Council will work with them closely, collaboratively and tirelessly to achieve great outcomes for our area.Best of luck to all who are running.

Note: The content of this message solely reflects the independent comments & views of Clr Karen Renkema-Lang and is not a communication or product by or of Kiama Municipal Council.Dear residents, ratepayers & business owners in the Kiama LGA,Over 100 people attended a very important Council meeting at the Pavilion on Tuesday 28 February. Many more watched the livestream. All of the agenda items tabled pointed to a new ‘business model’ for Kiama Council. During the meeting it was very evident that the community of the Kiama LGA want to have a say in the future of our Council, and so they should.What should a new ‘business model’ for Kiama Council look like? Should Kiama Council be reduced to a leaner meaner organisation that just provides a platform for tourism and the basic Council services - pot-holes and garbage collection? Should we sell precious community assets to the highest bidder? The Kiama Leisure Centre? Blue Haven Terralong Street Retirement Village? The Blowhole Point cabins? Kendalls Beach holiday park? The Old Fire Station? Couldn’t most of these be retained and revitalised as profit-making enterprises for the long-term benefit of the local Community?Council has a substantial property portfolio that is identified in the draft property plan tabled at the Council meeting on 28 February. These are all Council owned or managed assets. They are a mix of commercial, industrial, residential, recreational, crown land and infrastructure parcels of land and buildings. The working draft plan clearly states that “Council seeks to potentially leverage its property and related assets to facilitate private development investments”. Which of these should we absolutely fight to keep to provide the best outcomes for the people who call Kiama home?I would also like to point out that as I understand the Local Government Act, the sale of Blue Haven Bonaira cannot proceed to finalisation until completion of the public exhibition and public meeting, and receipt and consideration of submissions. It is also important to note that the property and liquidity plan were adopted as working drafts for future discussion and workshop. They were not approved or accepted at the 28 February meeting.Let's talk about money!What do we need to prove to the State Government (and importantly to you in the community) that we are financially viable?Firstly, we need an immediate cash injection of around $15 million (or more) to be able to pay bills as they are due over the next two years. It is clear from the financial figures presented at the meeting that the sale of Blue Haven (with or without Terralong Street) will NOT provide this amount of money in the time it is needed. The good news is that successful negotiation of $15m from the balance of the loan used to fund Blue Haven Bonaira build will, and this is being pursued.Secondly, the financial figures presented made it clear that even without selling Blue Haven Terralong Street, Council will have a relatively healthy cash balance ($14.3m) to manage day to day operations and pay bills by June 2024 – assuming the sale of Bonaira goes ahead. The draft property plan makes it perfectly clear that there are options (other than selling Terralong Street) to provide another $10 to $15 million cash injection if needed. The impacts of renegotiating the loan and keeping, and improving revenue from Terralong retirement village may well result in this not being needed. But we don’t know as we haven’t been presented with this financial data.Thirdly, before Council makes a decision to sell valuable community assets, we need to understand the lost opportunities and the extent of lost revenue from doing so. And importantly we need to have an alternative strategy that demonstrates a better financial, social and cultural proposition than what we are losing. We know from past financial reports that profits from the independent living units at Terralong Street have financed successive expansion of Blue Haven in 5 discrete stages, subsidised the aged care facility and funded other community infrastructure. Further, the financial figures presented at the June 2022 meeting showed that Council operations (excluding Blue Haven) are running at a loss. We have not yet been presented with financial data that details alternative revenuesources to correct this structural deficit.Finally, Council needs a stable and fully functioning financial management system along with a stable and qualified financial management team capable of producing accurate, timely and relevant financial statements. It needs these things in place to restore confidence that Council can manage the proceeds from any sale of assets responsibly and appropriately to restore Council as a ‘going concern’. Council must be able to demonstrate that these things are in place before any further decisions are made about selling valuable community assets.I will continue to push for all of the above to be made explicit and to be considered in future decisions of Council.And remember I’m always interested to hear your views. Feel free to call or email me, or drop by Short Black Cafe in Kiama for one of my regular coffee & chat sessions. The next one is Weds April 12 from 9:30am. Other dates are on my website safekiama.org/your-thoughts.As you know I am a passionate advocate for democracy and your voice is part of that.Yours Sincerely,Clr Karen Renkema-Lang

So, here we all are, in the best place on earth. It’s official, verified and fair dinkum.I’m talking of course about Kiama being declared Australia’s best small town by demographer Bernard Salt, who crunched the numbers from the 2021 Census to come up with the results.While I’m sure the criteria for this are all very legit and I’m thrilled to be Mayor at a time when we’ve been acknowledged in this fashion, I’d also suggest there is more to a place than statistics, green hills and the hole that blows.Most importantly there is the charm of the people. It’s one of the first things I noticed about the people of Kiama – and not just the town of Kiama but our whole Municipality.Whether you're a visitor or a long-time resident, you'll always be greeted with a smile and a welcoming hello around here. It's not uncommon to strike up a conversation with a stranger in a local café or on the beach, and before you know it, you're exchanging stories and laughing together like old friends.Beyond their welcoming nature, the people of our LGA are also deeply connected to their local environment. Many residents are involved in conservation efforts and community landcare groups that aim to protect the natural beauty of the area for future generations. Whether it is through beach clean-ups, tree-planting projects, or wildlife rescue programs, the people of Kiama demonstrate a strong sense of stewardship and responsibility for their local environment.Our towns are home to a thriving arts scene, with numerous galleries, workshops, and festivals that showcase the talents of local artists and performers. There’s the Jazz and Blues Festival on this weekend.Another thing that stands out about the people of our Municipality is their sense of community. This is a place where people come together to support one another, whether it's through volunteering or simply checking in on a neighbour who needs help. The place has a strong spirit of inclusivity and acceptance, and you'll find people from all walks of life living here and contributing to the community.One of my favourite things across the LGA is the way that the people here have embraced and preserved the town and country's history and character. There's a strong sense of pride in the local heritage. You'll often find residents sharing stories and memories about the past, and there are plenty of opportunities to learn more about the local history through museums, guided tours, and other cultural events.This is not limited to our colonial and Anglo-Saxon history either. Kiama Council hosted two Aboriginal yarning circles earlier this year where we listened to first nations Elders speak about their lived experience and the cultural history of this place. It was an enlightening and heartening experience and one that we will aim to repeat and build upon.Overall, the beauty of Kiama is not just found in its stunning natural landscape but in the warmth, kindness, and creativity of its people. The sense of community and connection that permeates our Municipality is truly what makes it the best place on earth.

When I was a young boy, I questioned my parents about why was there a ‘Father’s Day’ and a ‘Mother’s Day’ yet no ‘Children’s Day’?The stock, universal reply to every kid, from every parent with this question was ‘Every day is Children’s Day!’When asked about why we have Australia Day on 26 January I give a similar answer... every day is Australia Day! We celebrate that day, but I’d be happy to change it if it upsets some people, and who wouldn’t want that?But it’s the day we use currently, and that’s kind of ironic because India shares that day too! It’s ironic because we use it as the day the British put up the Union Flag here, and it’s the day they pulled it down in India!In the 1780’s, there was also lot of international intrigue about an American letter sent to the British about the French.ut for a couple of mishaps, Australia could have become a French colony.So that instead of saying, ‘I’m Australian, not English!’, we’d say ‘Je suis Australien, pas Français!’Anyways, I love it here every day. We’re living in the same land as the Earth’s oldest culture, where you get to vote and marry whoever you like and there’s Kookaburras.I have seen, learned and lived in many other places, there’s nothing wrong with them, but here is better.I’ve had extensive talks with local Aboriginal elder Aunty Gwenda, who is so gracious, and wants to acknowledge that the past holds good and bad, but it is for us all to create a better and more representative future.We’ve agreed, in this area, to work on that as a team.Here’s what’s doing on Australia Day locally: Welcomes to Country, didge recitals, smoking ceremonies, traditional dancers, a yarning circle, flag flyovers, surf club barbecues, pool parties and a whole pile of other fun!At our ceremony at Gerringong Town Hall we’re also welcoming 30 new citizens, presenting our local Australia Day citizens awards, while our guest speaker is World Superbike Champion Warwick Knowland.So here are the three actual points of what we’re doing and why:ReflectRespectCelebrateWe reflect on our nation’s past, which began more than 75,000 years ago and respect the contributions of all Australians, and we celebrate our achievements by coming together and connecting with family, friends and the community.And you know what? We really should do this every day.

Welcome to 2023, a new year of opportunity for your council and your community. Kiama Council is an organisation of people who are deeply devoted to the community we serve. Some of us are councillors, some staff, and others volunteers.We all continue to believe in the promise that together we can pull out of our current short-term issues and create great goals that will be rewarded by great results.This year, councillors will determine the best strategic use for the proceeds of the Akuna Street sale, adjusting our ratios to a more normal setting and in doing so, hopefully calm our bankers and other keen observers.The process of the sale of Blue Haven Bonaira will also evolve into an open and transparent strategy that retains a healthy suite of aged care offerings in the district but shifts Council’s focus from an aged care business into a council with a retirement village as one of the many strings to its revenue bow.The past year has not been all doom and gloom. We have in fact achieved victory over many aspects of council’s performance, and this year we will achieve even more.We will move from a strategy of divestment into a strategy of sustainable revenue.Building a robust financial strategy is about far more than crunching numbers, good financial monitoring and demand management. It is collaboration, communication, ownership, vision and trust, especially between council staff and elected members.This year I know we will be mindful of the past, but our eyes will be on the future.There will be new life in the heart of our commercial and retail centre: the construction of a new Woolworths-anchored mini-mall and, together with the right contractor, an iconic revitalisation and unique makeover for Hindmarsh Park.We may also see the beginnings of what will be built on the Akuna Street site.The rejuvenation of these three major locations will result in quite the makeover for central Kiama during the next year or two. I’m looking forward to seeing the transformation.I have found great value in keeping the mayoral door open. I plan to enrich this in 2023 with additional opportunities to improve my accessibility, create an open flow of communication and maintain closer relationships with the community.Now, with the end of our financial issues in sight (note, I didn’t say over!), culture within our council is noticeably enriched and we can build on this with increased vitality.A new year offers a fresh perspective and opportunities. Rather than resist and hide in the old, I hope you’ll join me in welcoming and shepherding in the new. Together we shape the future of our Local Government Area.

I am going to borrow a quote from Kelly Clarkson the singer who said “The thing about Christmas is that it almost doesn’t matter what mood you’re in or what kind of a year you’ve had – it’s a fresh start”.I like that sentiment of a fresh start. I am excited about what the new year holds for all of us.It’s been a hard year at Council, there’s no denying that. We’ve shared much of that hardship with all of you: the facts of it, the solutions to it and the need for a fresh start.I sincerely hope that as this year closes, we don’t forget all the hard work, all the good work that gets done every day by our staff and the effort that our Councillors and community members put into making this wonderful community of ours a great place to live in and be part of.I hope each of you get a chance to enjoy all the lovely things about Christmas: friends, family and colleagues.Being on council gives a unique perspective to observe our community, and to see the good everywhere. In the volunteers that drive buses, cook snags, deliver meals and plant and weed and bring us music, and the exciting people who teach and talk and enrich our lives in countless ways.We see the gifts donated to the Mayor’s Giving Tree; we see the little notes of thanks when a Councillor has championed a good cause or a staff member has gone out of their way to assist someone who really needed a little help.We see neighbours who help neighbours, and not just at Christmas. On frosty winter days, ovals get line marked by volunteers, scouts and guides are taught bushcraft, passers-by warn visitors of dangerous surf conditions, and so much more.There is much good in community and, as we head into a new year, let’s all take the chance for a fresh start and to reflect on this year.Enough from me, here’s some tips from Kiama’s Councillors for Christmas:Cr Matt Brown: Stay hydrated and make the best use of local attractions and experiences such as Illawarra Fly, Jamberoo Action Park along with our beaches and National Parks. Merry Christmas!!Cr Mark Croxford: Be adventurous and try something new. The helpful team at the Kiama Visitor Information Centre on Blowhole Point is there to give you lots of suggestions.Cr Imogen Draisma: Just living in Kiama is a rare gift, enjoy it all: the ocean, the countryside the bustling towns and all that’s good in life.Cr Jodi Keast: Explore Kiama’s hidden treasures by asking a local what they love about Kiama. For me, I enjoy walking around the Minnamurra headland and riding through Bonaira Native Gardens.Cr Stuart Larkins: Visit (and support) as many of our local small businesses as you can. On a cooler day, enjoy our local bushwalks or our fantastic coast walk. Remember to look after our environment and take your rubbish with you.Cr Karen Renkema-Lang: Choose you own adventure – there are so many options. Or just sit back, relax and soak up the magic of Kiama and the surrounds.Cr Kathy Rice: Pack your worries away and don’t pick them up again until the holiday is over. Make sure to take some time just for you and keep your eyes open to the magnificence that is all around you in Kiama.Cr Warren Steel: Enjoy spending time with your family.

We are all part of a larger picture.British writer Douglas Adams is probably best known for The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, but just as good is Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency in which he coined the phrase ‘the fundamental interconnectedness of all things’.I’ve been noticing this interconnectedness lately and the more you pay attention, the more you see.Cobar is situated in the centre of New South Wales, and in 1975, it seemed as though I passed through this lovely old mining town every other week as part of my Army training. I was reminded of that connection as I spoke to Cobar Shire Council’s GM, Peter Vlatko online last week.He told me of Cobar’s troubles as aged care providers. Financially, they cannot hang on until Christmas. Although the message is sad and related to the viability of aged care, the interconnectedness of all things is both how we know – I met Peter at the Local Government NSW (LGNSW) Annual Conference in Albury this year– and why we know – because Kiama Council also runs aged care and we deeply understand the challenges right now.As a council, we have many, many internal and external connections we can use to help our decision-making, to compare our progress, and learn useful lessons. As well as the aforementioned LGNSW network, we have the Country Mayors Association of NSW, where 60 councils share the joy of regionality. Our council is also part of the Australian Coastal Councils Group, the Illawarra Shoalhaven Joint Organisation and the new Greater Cities Commission.Within our municipality, we have precincts, associations, community groups, council committees and workgroups.Local Government NSW, a connected council group in itself, promotes council membership of other connected groups. The Australian Local Government Association is the national connected voice of local government putting us in touch with 537 councils Australia-wide.It is wise to research, look outside our own bubble and see the world of lived, previous experience and understand if lessons learned by others can be applied to our own situation... in life as well as on council. It is also a good exercise in gaining perspective.As well as empathising with Cobar, I look at Lismore’s flood woes, Central Darling Shire Council who gave away their aged care facility and Central Coast Council clawing its way back from the abyss. I look at Randwick Council, who years ago divested of aged care services, or any number of Victorian councils who are right now doing the same.Our own experience with aged care has been somewhat of a beacon to others in near-identical situations. In fact there are 13 NSW councils who still own or manage aged care facilities. All of them regional, most much smaller than Kiama (average population 7,500, where ours is 23,000) and all struggling with this aspect of their business.As I’ve discovered from talking to the Mayors, CEOs and GMs of other councils, we have more commonalities than we have differences and that’s a good thing.There really is a fundamental interconnectedness of all things and it’s cathartic to find you’re not alone and answers do exist. Those answers often come from those who have been there and done that. All you have to do is connect.

I learned lifelong lessons from the first book I read... and the last and the next one!The first book I ever read was called 5 Pennies to Spend. I was five years old, so there was symmetry. I think I loved the pictures as much as the story.It had the lot: money management, maths, kindness and a surprise ending. I know it contributed to my adult sense of social justice and responsibilities. No kidding, it did.Neil with the book that sparked his love of readingSo, I read that Little Golden Book and good things happened to my brain, but the keyword is reading.I attended to the NSW Public Libraries Association conference “Switch 2022” in Albury last week, and was pleased to learn that they coaxed an additional, indexed and ongoing $41 million every year from our State Government.I saw bestselling author and musician Holly Throsby at Kiama Library, in conversation with publisher Richard Walsh about her new novel, Clarke. I read a book about a bored little boy to the kids at Ss Peter & Paul primary school in Kiama and the children laughed and learned about how it’s always best to just be you.I met with Sally Rippin, Australia’s highest-selling female author, who has ventured into the previously unknown territory (for her) of adult non-fiction with her new book Wild Things, about how we learn to read and what can happen if we don’t.In council we have to do a great deal of reading. Our business papers (the council meeting agenda) are often more than a thousand pages long. And we only have days to take it all in.The Mayor reading to Ss Peter and Paul studentsReading is so vital, and sometimes so rare that if you can read this, you can count yourself lucky. Many people have either no or just basic reading skills.Without the ability to read, some of life’s most essential necessities become far out of reach.It becomes difficult to have a job, to access information, to engage in local democracy and even community participation can prove challenging when your reading skills are low or limited.So, when I talk about the first book I remember having read having a great impact, research backs me up. It confirms that a child’s early years of brain development shape the adults we become, the success we achieve and the contributions we make socially, economically and personally.According to the World Literacy Foundation, if a child reads for just 20 minutes a day, they are exposed to 1,800,000 words per year.Our Kiama Library service promotes literacy skills in early childhood and provides literacy resources and services to all. Our library staff are the best of the best.And I’m pleased that our newest library space – Gerringong Library and Museum (GLaM) – is celebrating its first anniversary on 3 December and everyone’s invited to the party (see the council website for details).On the other side of one of those five pennies are people living with dyslexia: a learning disability that can cause difficulties with reading and writing. Dyslexia is not a reflection of intelligence and more common than you may think, it actually affects around 10 per cent of the Australian population.Ask our excellent library staff and they’ll point you in the right direction for support with dyslexia if you need it.Local Government is more than just roads, rates and rubbish. Kiama Council plays a vital and very broad role in the lives of each and every person in our community.Our libraries and crew do a fabulous job that is well regarded throughout the state, I am incredibly proud of that team.Don’t forget to visit your local library soon – after all, it’s the building with the most stories in town.

This week I addressed the annual Mayor’s Breakfast hosted by the Kiama and District Business Chamber.My thanks to the Chamber for allowing me the chance to speak directly to a large and important part of our community: our local business owners and operators.What I had to say, in short, was this:I’ve heard it said we (Kiama Council) would be in a whole lot better shape if we ran it like a business. There is only one thing wrong with that sentiment: it isn’t a business.Roads seldom make money, and neither do our parks or libraries. We don’t charge fees at the entrance in order to be ‘run like a business.’Kiama municipality may not be a business, but it has a lot of the characteristics that good businesses believe are their hallmarks.When I am asked ‘Are you running council like a business?’, I say that we employ first-rate business principles, alongside the highest principles of good governance.Most businesses would have a hard time matching our service or functioning in such a highly regulated and highly public environment where every move we make is legislated and subject to very public scrutiny.Our financial situation is improving and we are taking steps to improve our cash flow by divesting assets that are no longer providing the utility that the community expects.To enhance our bottom line, we are seeking revenue-making opportunities and being open and transparent with our bankers, our auditors and the NSW Government.Everything we do for the next little while will fall into one of these categories:Improve cash flowDevelop a surplus budgetActively pursue sustainable revenue streamsAvoid administration.I am also committed to ensuring that this council will become much more business-friendly.Business people are our neighbours, our friends, our families and they keep our community strong.That’s why I am committed to a small business charter.I believe what benefits small business benefits the whole community.This means Council working with businesses across all sectors to revitalise the local economy, to attract new customers and investment.To this end, we are recruiting for an Economic Development Coordinator.This is to offer support in enquiries from businesses to accelerate procedures and assist in developing a Small Business Friendly Council Charter.From my own working life, I understand the strain, the stress and the risks small businesses take daily.After COVID, we must have strategies in place that will offer support, cut red tape and bring real benefits to our local small business community.