Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald is confident Council has the building blocks in place for future strategic plans with the NSW Government and fostering a better relationship with whoever ends up as the new local state member.

At the recent Kiama Council meeting, the State Government Advocacy Plan (SGAP) was approved and Cr McDonald has held discussions with the Premier to highlight the necessity of local representation, praising the NSW Government for its swift action in calling a by-election.

Cr McDonald told The Bugle the importance of Council having a good relationship with members of parliament could not be understated.

“Local governments are a function of the State government, so essentially we need to work collaboratively [together] to deliver outcomes to provide services for our community,” he said.

“Essentially, we feel that potentially we have been neglected to a degree over the past three or four years with some significant investment in the LGAs surrounding Kiama.

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

Cr McDonald said Council had filled the SGAP with “big ticket items” and all proposals would be welcomed additions but redirected his focus on repairing and solidifying the line of contact with the local member.

“We’ve really got to put our front foot forward with candidates so that candidates essentially understand what the local community are after and assist them in understanding our local community when or if they become elected,” he said.

“We did distribute the advocacy plan to candidates as they were being announced, but at the meeting it was the first time that Council was able to increase the offering there of the advocacy list.”

Kiama Council will now need to update the SGAP with the six amendments to the 10 put forward at the meeting, which was moved by Cr Matt Brown and seconded by Cr Stuart Larkins, which will then be passed onto government and candidates for the election.

“The Council meeting was the first time that councils were able to really increase the offering there of the advocacy list with things like the Shoalhaven Street Precinct Remediation, we would really love a contribution there,” Cr McDonald said.

“The motion by Cr Erica Warren with regards to the Jamberoo Cycleway – it makes a whole lot of sense with the cycleway/pathway attached to it.

“So that will require some funds to go back and look at sort of that plan.”

There are seven candidates in the running for the Kiama by-election on September 13 with the recent additions of representatives from the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, Family First and an independent.

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