Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald is amplifying the voices of Kiama’s community to the State Government during this critical by-election period. At the recent Kiama Council Ordinary Meeting, the State Government Advocacy Plan (SGAP) was approved unanimously by all Councillors.

Council has long been advocating for its needs to all levels of government but took this by-election opportunity to sharpen the pencil on its requests to the State for essential infrastructure to support our residents.

Cr McDonald has held an initial discussion with the Premier and the Leader of the Opposition to highlight the necessity here in Kiama.

“Kiama has been neglected and overlooked with investment decisions over the past few years with some significant infrastructure and service investments being directed to other seats and areas. It’s time for our needs to be heard and acted on too.”

“The by-election presents a timely opportunity to ensure that all candidates are fully informed of the challenges and opportunities facing Kiama LGA and the wants and needs of our local community.

“Local Government is the level of government closest to the community and we know what we need for housing, growth and recreation. We’ve listened to our community and now we would like to share that knowledge with candidates wanting to represent us. Our advocacy plan speaks loudly about what we need and I say to all candidates: ‘my door is open to you, we welcome you and want to partner with you to get things done here in the Kiama LGA’,” said Mayor McDonald.

Some of Council’s identified advocacy projects include:

Kiama Sports Precinct – to be funded as a Regionally Significant Sporting Facility

Lifting the restrictive covenant off Council’s landholdings at Spring Creek

Shoalhaven Street Precinct Remediation

Much-needed roads and water / sewer upgrades across the LGA and Bombo Treatment Plant

Cr McDonald said the list makes for sobering reading in terms of what the community wants, needs and deserves and has thus far missed out on.

“These are all matters that are intrinsically linked to the future wellbeing of our community. We call on the candidates for the Kiama by-election as well as the NSW and Australian governments to pay attention and step up to assist our regional community be all it can be.“

The State Government Advocacy Plan can be viewed on the Kiama Municipal Council website.