Community Independent candidate Kate Dezarnaulds called in some high-profile support in her push to win the Kiama by-election.

Former South Coast Independent John Hatton and Independent Member for Sydney Alex Greenwich got their hands dirty on the election trail at Burnetts on Barney garden centre in Kiama to lend a hand to Dezarnaulds' bid for the vacant state seat.

Hatton, recognised as an Australian Living Treasure by the National Trust for his 22-year career in politics highlighted by his crusade against corruption, said Dezarnaulds would make a fine local representative.

“The difference with independents is you will count as a citizen because independents do not survive if they don't work with the community, for the community, and embrace the community in decision-making,” the 92-year-old said.

“The thing that the Premier will say is, 'They're not part of the government, they've got no influence.' I'm telling you that I was in the top nine in capital works here in the South Coast in the state.”

Hatton argued that electing an independent is the only way the Kiama community would truly have a voice in Parliament.

“We're in a prime situation to bring about change because we’ve got a number of independents in Parliament. And that's growing - it's growing because of the discipline within parties. They are told how to think, they are told how to vote,” he said.

“Back when I was in Parliament, they were actually disciplined if they disagreed with caucus or were an embarrassment.”

Greenwich - often described as the key independent in Parliament - said Kiama deserved better representation after Gareth Ward's resignation following his conviction for sexual assault offences.

“We have seen the Labor government ignore Kiama, and the man who represented Kiama until he was convicted and left Parliament - almost being expelled. So this is a time for a fresh start, for an Independent who can work with the government but also hold them accountable,” he said.

“Someone who doesn't have the drama and chaos associated with Gareth, but who can get their questions answered by the government and hold them to account.

"The thing that the major parties have the biggest problem with when it comes to independents is that we work too hard and deliver too much for our communities. 

“We don't have to worry about party politics - we get to be the voice of our community on the floor of Parliament.”

But if it’s agreed that an independent can bring about real change in Parliament, why Kate Dezarnaulds? What would she change?

“If I were elected the Independent member, small business support, backing the energy transition, and making sure the benefits spread to small businesses and community organisations would be really important,” said Dezarnaulds.

She also agrees with Greenwich that housing is the state's top priority and something she is deeply passionate about.

“One part of the housing conversation that I really want to bring back is around social housing. We've gotten way too used to this euphemism of 'affordable housing', but the real problem is that our governments have lost the courage to invest in and build social housing for the last 20 years,” she said.

Kiama Council has been facing financial challenges, and with the recent cancellation of the NYE fireworks, it's clear that rebuilding is underway. Dezarnaulds said she would fully support the council in that effort.

“Council-bashing is really boring, and it suits the major parties to keep our councils broke and broken,” she said.

“We’ve got three independent councils on the South Coast in the electorate of Kiama, and about 20 years ago, local councils used to get one percent of the federal tax take to deliver the basics for people.

“That’s been reduced to less than half a percent, and the gap has been made up through competitive, politicised grants. That’s leaving our councils in really vulnerable positions.

“So rather than piling on, which is a tried and tested method of the major parties, I’d be in there supporting our local councils and making sure they get the funding they need to deliver the infrastructure projects that communities really rely on.”

Dezarnaulds recently revealed her voting preferences for the Kiama by-election, placing herself first, followed by The Greens in second, Labor third, then Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Felix Nelson in fourth, and the Liberals fifth.

“If you’d told me before all of this that I would say yes to Mr Shooters and Fishers, I would have been very surprised. But his platform - he’s done no deals with anybody on preferences - he is really there,” she said, explaining her decision to rank them above the Liberals.

“He could have had many other parties on his T-shirt, but what he’s advocating for is really close to a lot of the things I’ve heard through all of the listening we’ve done - both for the federal campaign and this one. So yeah, if people will talk to me, I will talk to them.”

Early voting for the by-election is open until Friday at Kiama Uniting Church, Centenary Hall in Albion Park, and St Stephen’s Anglican Church in Bomaderry.