One wonders just how many more cancellations will be announced. The way we are going there'll be nothing left to cancel.It was sad to hear of Becky Guggisberg's frustration in trying to pull together the Jazz & Blues Festival. The lack of venues is a major challenge for our town. A few years ago, a visionary plan was announced for a multi-purpose arts/performing precinct to be incorporated into and around the old Fire Station exhibition building.An old home was cleared nearby and the ambulance station moved to free up space for the planned area. That was well over five years ago. Since then absolutely nothing has happened. Meanwhile, Kiama wins an award, it seems, each year for the best holiday town.However, we now get a drip feed of cancellations of events that have made us who we are. First was a "no fireworks" New Year's Eve, then the Changing Tides pop festival backs out for 2025. Now it's no Jazz festival for 2026.What's going on Kiama?It seems that the town had more life during the Covid pandemic.Greg Martin ValeKiama

In the early 1990s, architect Wally Abrahams, a member of Kiama Council’s architect advisory committee, proposed a plan to consolidate the Kiama town centre. This plan involved purchasing land adjoining the Akuna Street car park, including the old Mitre 10 store, in order to utilise the large land area behind Terralong Street to consolidate the central shopping precinct and make it more walkableHis idea was that the Mitre 10 store would form a conduit arcade linking to an extended shopping mall and car park behind Terralong Street.Over the years Council adopted this idea and purchased the requisite land with the intention of realising this visionary plan.Thirty-five years on, Council staff and Councillors lost track of this vision and found themselves owning a saleable “land asset” that could offset debt. The sale of Akuna Street ended Council’s control over the site and dashed this plan. Now we are facing a 14-storey enterprise that addresses a different purpose.It’s sad to see how continuity and cultural knowledge is so easily lost by our decision makers and how easily good ideas are forgotten.Since Wally proposed this idea the commercial shopping precinct has sprawled - it definitely isn’t walkable, there is little central parking and our town lacks a central focus.Howard H Jones(Kiama Councillor in the early 90s)

In a recent article in The Bugle, I find Mayor Cameron McDonald's comments misleading ... "Right now, this proposal is only about rezoning – no development can occur until that process is complete. There is no Development Application (DA). The images you may have seen are concepts from the NSW Planning Department, not approved designs, heights, or plans. Detailed planning – including building heights, design, traffic, parking and infrastructure – will happen later through the normal DCP and DA process, with full community consultation." The Planning Department documents make it clear that integral to Kiama Council's re-zoning proposal for their Depot Site, is a change to the existing building controls under the Kiama Local Environment Plan (LEP) 2011 (which are currently set an 11 metre/3 storey height limit) to replace them with the government’s new R3 zoning controls which completely change floor space ratios and building height allowances. With those controls gone, Council cannot bring them back. If the rezoning proposal goes ahead, any developer will be able to use the 6-8 storey heights and reduced floor size ratios (450 unit density) in the rezoning proposal as the basis for their DA. The Council will not be able to stop them. A State Planning Panel will have no reason to refuse a DA that is consistent with the State Government’s increased heights and densities, particularly where Council is partnering with the State Government on the rezoning proposal! Chris Minehan,Kiama

I wanted to raise a concern regarding the recent rhetoric coming from Katelin McInerney and Paul Scully — specifically the repeated claim that “the community is clear it wants central development over greenfields”.With respect, this has never been explicitly tested or consulted on. For Paul to state publicly that Kiama Council or the NSW Government has consulted the community on this point is simply incorrect. And for both of them to rely on that untested claim to advance the Kiama Depot and Akuna Street proposals is, at best, ignorantly misleading and, at worst, wilfully manipulative.If anything, the lack of proper consultation on this question is exactly why a staged approach makes sense.A genuine, place-based Heritage & Place strategy is needed, which would finally give the government the opportunity to ask the community what it actually values and wants for its future across its LGA. Speaking personally as a young Dad to two children in the area, I would love the chance for the Government to ask people like me - and my network of families who'll be living here for the next 40 to 50 years - whether we’d like more 500–800 sqm blocks to raise our families on. We’ve simply never been asked. Yet our views are being publicly assumed, packaged, and used to justify a controversial and universally opposed proposal.The politicians' job is to represent us, not to misrepresent our views. I’m asking Katelin and Paul to please ensure any public statements reflect what has genuinely been consulted on — and what hasn’t — and to support a process that actually seeks out the community’s aspirations before drawing conclusions.Glenn Holland,Kiama

Huge scores were the order of the day on Saturday in round eight of South Coast cricket with Bomaderry blasting 6-343 in their one-dayer against Ex Servos.After recent wet weather had tipped the scales in the bowlers’ favour, the batters made hay while the sun shone on the weekend.The Tigers lost a couple of early wickets but recovered to score at nearly seven an over with captain Kealen Blattner (57), Michael Coulter (34), Ryan Henry (83), Daniel Troy (48) and Matthew Shea (48 not out) finding the boundary regularly.Troy needed just 28 balls for his innings which included seven fours and two sixes.Ex Servos were going OK at 1-66 but after opener Lukas Janes fell for 43, they lost a steady run of wickets to be all out for 155 despite 36 from tailender Joshua McDowell.Coulter completed a fine all-round contribution with 4-23.Shoalhaven stablemates North Nowra Cambewarra also posted a big score in making 9-280 against Oak Flats at Bernie Regan Sports Ground.Hyeon Parsons found the boundary rope 10 times and cleared it on eight occasions in making 105, sharing a decisive third-wicket partnership with captain Nathan Thomas (63).Rats captain Jack Bennett struck a run-a-ball 56 but Cooper Luke’s 5-13 ensured they finished well short of their target, all out for 201.Kookas were in a spot of bother at 5-140 against Albion Park before Jonathan Yeo’s 64 and an unbeaten 84 from Chris Leaudais lifted them to 6-296.Park were looking good in their run-chase after captain Cooper Hayes smashed 91 at opener but they couldn’t keep up the momentum and finished 76 runs shy.Shellharbour posted 9-263 at Sanctuary Point after opener Jacob Coleman’s 93 and Daniel Smith’s 81 dominated the Bay and Basin bowling attack, apart from Lachlan Barry’s 4-34.In reply, the home side were tracking well after openers Tom Dolby (44) and Caleb McLennan (66) got on the front foot but apart from Damien Gilkes’ 42, the rest of the batters failed to fire and they were dismissed for 229.All-rounder Jim Glazbrook was the star with the ball for Harbour, taking 5-32.Lake Illawarra maintained top spot in the only match which did not feature a large total. Kiama lost 3-21 before David Coleman’s 32 and 36 from skipper Jaya Hartgerink meant they avoided embarrassment to put 149 on the board at Cavalier Park.Lakers captain Kerrod White, after taking 3-25, flayed the bowling in making 98 not out from just 68 deliveries as the visitors reached their target in the 21st over.This Saturday, Albion Park take on Oak Flats in a local derby at Keith Grey Oval, Bomaderry are at home to North Nowra, Kookas face Lake at Oakleigh Park, Kiama travel to Bay and Basin while Ex Servos head north to Shellharbour.Ladder: Lake 52, Shellharbour 47, North Nowra, Kiama 38, Bay and Basin 37, Bomaderry 34, Kookas 22, Albion Park 20, Oak Flats 18, Ex Servos 10.In the women’s competition, Kookas kept top spot after winning a six-run thriller over Kiama at Bonaira Oval.Jennifer Kitchen (62) and Mel Nolan (35) were in the runs as Kookas made 5-147 from their 20 overs and Kiama started strongly with openers Ebony Winston (55) and Ava Sloan (35) facing their 40 deliveries but the team fell just short of victory.Jessica Bramble (70) and Shannon Spears (30 not out) excelled as the Ratatouilles (3-147) got the better of Lake (5-99) while Anne Boatswain (59 not out) and Maya Huetter (52 not out) starred as the Ratettes (1-167) cruised to victory over Albion Park (9-38) with young guns Betsy Higgins (3-7) and Emerson Boatswain (4-6) firing with the ball.In the other match, Shellharbour could only manage 7-38 with Ex Servos chasing that down with six wickets to spare.This Friday night, Shellharbour travel to Kiama, the Ratettes lock horns with the Ratatouilles in an all-Oak Flats affair while Lake play Kookas at Myimbarr, and Ex Servos hit the road to face Albion Park.Ladder: Kookas 24, Ratatouille, Ratettes 18, Lake 14, Ex Servos 12, Kiama, Albion Park 10, Shellharbour 2.

With Christmas upon us, I have begun to notice a strange phenomenon. Although Christmas is a time of joy and hope for so many, I have also noticed a heaviness, a stress, a pressure that has started to come to the surface in people’s lives. As The Salvation Army, we notice these pressures firsthand. They are the pressures that are placed on individuals and families at Christmas which can turn a time of joy into a time of distress. One of the most obvious pressures is the financial pressure people face. It is the choice between paying for food and affording presents for their children or being able to go to the doctor instead of a special Christmas Day meal. Christmas also illuminates other pressures, like relationship tensions as family conflict is heightened, or time pressures due to the busyness of the season. But one of the more hidden pressures we see people facing, although often one of the most damaging, is the pressure of comparison with those around you at Christmas time. Pressure to spend a certain amount, look a certain way, buy a certain number of gifts, have all your friends over for a meal, the list goes on. We see firsthand the damage this can create. The stress placed on a family trying to ‘keep up’ with those around them can be debilitating, not just for individuals and parents but also for children. This is why we want to encourage Australians to re-think how they approach Christmas this year, so as to not fall into the trap of comparison and ‘keeping up’ with those around you. Aim for connection, not perfection. Being with others is so much more valuable than stressing about creating the perfect Christmas, whether it be with family, friends or the Salvos – there’s no need to be alone this Christmas, we’re here for you. Share the load. Ask others to chip in, encourage everyone to bring a plate or help out in another way. You don’t have to be everything to everyone. And finally, if you are struggling this Christmas, please don’t be ashamed to reach out for support. We want you to know that we have your Christmas taken care of this year – providing gifts for children, hampers and meals for Christmas Day, and a place for connection where you can belong. If you need help this Christmas, or to donate to The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal which is aiming to raise $29 million, please visit salvationarmy.org.au or call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58). From all of us at the Salvos, we wish you a very happy and hope-filled Christmas. Colonel Rodney WaltersThe Salvation Army 

Kiama is loved for its beauty, its village feel and the way the sea and escarpment hold us gently in place. That sense of belonging is precious and worth defending. But as we confront the pressures all coastal towns now face, housing affordability, shifting demographics and the pull of Sydney, there’s a simple truth we can no longer avoid: we either grow up a little, or we sprawl outward a lot.And sprawl will change Kiama far more than a carefully considered increase in height.Growing out: The quiet threatSprawl is seductive because it feels harmless, just a few more houses on the edge of town. But its consequences are anything but gentle.It consumes farmland, fragments bushland and places permanent strain on the landscapes that give Kiama its identity. It forces more cars onto our roads and locks every generation into long commutes just to get to school, work, services or the train.Worst of all, sprawl makes our town more expensive to run. Roads, pipes, pathways, stormwater and community facilities all cost more per person when we stretch outward. Those bills eventually turn into rate rises, service reductions or both.This is how towns lose the very liveability they once protected.Growing up: A smarter, kinder alternativeAllowing some additional height, done thoughtfully, not carelessly, is a far gentler way to grow.It means more housing choice for young people, key workers and downsizers who want lift access, walkability and community connection. Also, a stronger, livelier town centre where local business is supported by people who live within walking distance. It also means better use of existing infrastructure, which we’ve already paid for. Most importantly, more protection for the rural and coastal landscapes that make Kiama what it is.Height doesn’t erase character. Poor design does. And that’s where planning controls, community expectations and proper architectural standards matter.If we demand beauty, public benefit and design excellence in exchange for height, we can build a skyline that complements, rather than compromises, our coast.Keeping the Kiama we cherishOur goal should never be height for height’s sake. It should be housing choice, environmental protection, good design, and long-term affordability. When you look at it through that lens, a modest shift in height limits is not a threat; it’s a sensible, sustainable tool.Growing up a little lets us avoid growing out a lot.And growing out is where towns really lose their character.If we want Kiama to remain one of the most liveable towns in Australia, as it has been recognised, then we need to make decisions that honour the community we are now and the one we hope to be in 30 years.Good planning isn’t about choosing between the past and the future.It’s about protecting what we love while making room for those who love Kiama too.Environmentally, height wins every time if the design is good.At this stage, nobody has determined the State Government’s view, but for a town like Kiama, here’s what I think: 8.5 metres high is safe, comfortable, heritage-friendly, 11-12 metres is the sweet spot for renewal and a healthy housing mix, 16 metres is aspirational, but defensible around hubs, hospitals and strategic corridors. Anything above that needs a very compelling story, a benefit and a design you’re proud to live near.

Wow! Let's hope that the planning approval process to allow 14 storeys above Terralong Street is a slow one. It's taken six years since our promised new fleet of trains arrived, but sit lying idly at various nearby locations while the railway dept tries to work out a way to get things moving.A 2pm train from Central still consists of four carriages. By the time it reaches Kiama at 4.40pm with tradies and schoolchildren on board, many passengers are sitting on the stairs for half the journey. This happens every weekday.So with at least 100 trees that will be bulldozed to get 14 floors up out of the ground in Akuna Street, it seems that the quality and fabric of life in our coastal town will take a huge hit. A good proportion of residents are here because of the life Kiama offers. We left the city for a quieter life.One wonders if Kiama Council continues to cancel major events like the New Year's Eve fireworks and give the nod to developmental greed, life in our award-winning gem of a town might soon resemble Mooloolaba or Terrigal.Why can't long-term plans to get the Bombo Quarry redevelopment be considered for future high-rise living and more supermarkets?Kiama's well-proportioned little town, as it is right now, will sadly just never be the same.Greg Martin Vale,Kiama

The severe sentence handed down to our hard working and respected Member of Parliament has brought into question the following: are we fighting our political opponents with lawfare or at the ballot box? There is an epidemic of court cases in western democracies today from undeclared payments to porn stars, collusion and conspiracy charges, even racketeering.One of the greatest dangers to functioning democracies, let alone the sheer injustice of it all is bringing cases to court because the accused is a political enemy or political vengeance is being sought.So many violent and humiliating rapes go unreported. But this confronting injustice will not be resolved by ‘me too’ vendettas and/or political fault finding. To send an innocent man to jail in order to punish the guilty is not acceptable. It shows only the breakdown of the justice system.I am happy to put my name down in Gareth’s defence. I know he is in the prayers of many good people who have approached me in despair that a much-loved member of our community should be discredited and impugned so mightily. We await the appeal as we await justice.Gail Morgan, Kiama

What does a cabbage tree palm have to do with Kiama’s residential development debate?A lot more than you might think!A mature Cabbage Tree Palm (Livistona australis) grows to about 15 metres — roughly the height of a four-storey building.That’s why I'm proposing a “Cabbage Tree Palm Rule” for Kiama: no building should be taller than our iconic palms.Here’s the thing: the NSW Government is framing this as an all-or-nothing choice — arguing that housing supply and affordability can only be solved by building a suite of 8-storey apartments in central Kiama.That’s a false dichotomy.Well-designed four-storey apartments, a la the Cabbage Tree Palm Rule, would also deliver hundreds of new homes without overwhelming our town or losing the character we all value.Places like Bali manage growth by keeping buildings in proportion to their iconic palms. Why can't we? Applying the same thinking here strikes the right balance: we can grow, meet housing needs, and still keep Kiama looking and feeling like Kiama.The Cabbage Tree Palm Rule is simple, measurable, and meaningful. It reminds us that smart growth doesn’t mean ignoring scale or sense of place - it’s about balance.Who’s with me!?Mikayla Thompson-Jones

Following the recent public forum regarding the Kiama Markets, I am speaking on this matter as a concerned resident, a member of the Kiama Tourism Economy Advisory Committee and as someone with more than 20 years’ experience in the tourism industry as a founder and CEO of a global tourism technology business. It is on this basis I am expressing my opinion.I am writing today in support of local, Kiama main street retailers and hospitality businesses whose concerns regarding the impact of the Kiama Markets are not being adequately addressed by either Council or the Kiama Business Network. Specifically, as most of these businesses have expressed through signing a petition to such effect:The Kiama Market operation has a material negative effect on trading during the their most important operating periods (Weekends and Sundays);The visitors to the Kiama Market push the limits of the town well beyond its capacity in terms of public facilities, and more specifically, parking; andThe economic benefit generated by visitors to the market is enjoyed mostly by businesses which are not based within the Kiama LGA; andThe inconvenience and crowds created by the markets keeps away locals and other higher-value visitors from the town, the core customers of our bricks-and-mortar businesses.Why should residents of Kiama be concerned about this matter?When our businesses fail so does our town!We rely on the health and welfare of retail and hospitality businesses to not only provide us with that great cup of coffee and sumptuous meal but also to pay rates and create employment so that we can get the services we need and enjoy a wonderful living environment. More often than not we are upset to see our favourite restaurant, shop or café shut down or wonder why the buildings along Terralong Street are either empty or look worn down. If we want to enjoy the benefits provided by the investment made by these businesses then we need to ensure that we support and look after them.The markets are only operating 13 or so Weekends/Sundays per annum, this shouldn’t impact on our businesses?Our businesses can only survive because of weekend trade. - 60% of our retail and hospitality revenue is generated on the weekends. Losing 13 days (nearly 15% of their core trading days), where these businesses see their revenue decline by 5-60% of their normal takings, is very significant and puts an enormous extra strain on them financially.I’ve been told that the markets generate additional visitors to Kiama ... is this good? Kiama is at capacity – as locals we know you are lucky if you find a good a parking spot on any sunny Sunday in Kiama as visitors flock to our seaside to enjoy our award-winning tourism town. We don’t need the Kiama Markets to add more visitors during these already busy periods.We should be focusing on attracting visitors who benefit the town the most.Unfortunately, visitors to the markets are simply strolling through, picking up a few knick-knacks and then drive off. These are not the visitors we need.What about the extra money spent during market weekends?This is not going to our local businesses – the vast majority are reporting losses and hence are speaking out. While statistics show an increase of about 25% in total spend within our local area on market weekends, much of the money spent during market weekends is NOT going to our local businesses but rather market stall operators from outside our LGA.Is this not an issue for the Kiama Business Network and not the Council?The Kiama Council provides the license and guidelines for the operation of the market – as the markets put an enormous strain on our public resources and our local businesses, as the landlord, licensor and regulator, the Council has a duty of oversight and care to our community to ensure that the markets are operated in our best interests.Kiama Business Network, which operates the market, is an organisation which, despite its name, does not fairly represent the businesses most effected by this activity. Consider that NOT one of the people that is in a board/leadership position within the Kiama Business Network are engaged in a tourism, main-street retail or hospitality business but rather banking, finance, construction and other white-collar professions.Given Council’s unwillingness to take action to address the concern of their local retail and hospitality business constituents, we are seeking now a moratorium on the operation of the Kiama Markets for the upcoming summer period. We do not need more visitors during this period where Kiama is running at capacity and want to give residents, the Council and the Kiama Business Network the opportunity to properly review and propose a solution moving forward which better meets the needs of our residents and our business operators.A constructive path forwardKiama deserves a vibrant main street that supports for our residents and those retail and hospitality businesses which invest in our community for the long term rather than those that come in once a month and take only from it.This issue has been raised before and too often set aside. Many operators cannot afford for it to be ignored again.Thank you for considering this letter in the public interest.Sincerely,Ryan Rieveley

Have you ever noticed how the loudest meeting, the biggest shock in a budget or the wildest public reaction eventually quietens down? That’s not just wishful thinking, it’s a statistical reality: regression to the mean.Extreme events tend to be followed by more ordinary ones, things revert (or regress) toward their long-term average.We see this everywhere, in human behaviour, in politics, in community life. And last month’s Kiama by-election gives us a vivid local example.Earlier this year, the seat of Kiama was thrown into chaos when the sitting MP, Gareth Ward, was found guilty of sexually abusing two men. He resigned just as a vote to expel him from NSW Parliament was about to occur, which triggered the 13 September by-election.Labor’s Katelin McInerney won decisively with about 37.32% of first preferences, with a two-party preferred share of 60.19% vs 39.81% for the Liberals. Meanwhile, the Liberal candidate saw a swing against the conservative vote of about 14.48 points in primary votes.What’s striking is how that result reflects a reversion from the extreme circumstances surrounding the vacancy. The scandal and succession of events pushed the electorate outside its usual voting patterns. But once the by-election was decided, things look more like a return toward the underlying political tendencies in the area.Analysts caution that comparing swings in such a seat is tricky. Ward had held the seat as an independent after leaving the Liberals, and his personal following distorted the baseline. But the upshot is clear: the extraordinary conditions that preceded the election were unlikely to sustain forever. Voters gravitated back toward more stable alignments once the crisis passed.I think leaders also need to consider when the mean itself is moving. Sometimes what seems like “returning to average” is actually a shifting average. For instance, demographic change, evolving attitudes, or sustained external pressures can shift what “normal” means. In Kiama’s case, the scandal forced a momentary deviation, but the long-term leanings of the electorate remain relevant.Extremes should be regarded as wake-ups, but we shouldn’t assume permanence.If a campaign, crisis or public mood runs extremely one way, treat it as a cue to dig deeper, not as a permanent realignment.In Kiama today, the extreme disruption brought on by Ward’s scandal gave way to a more stable outcome, a seat firmly in Labor hands, but not as a reactionary anomaly so much as a firm return to equilibrium. That doesn’t mean nothing changes. It means change often overshoots, then swings back toward the centre.Maybe the next time you see an overblown reaction in a meeting, or a headline that feels too big to last, you can smile and whisper: “That’s regression to the mean doing its work.”

The Sydney Morning Herald has just published its 2025 Good Food Guide, listing just about every worthwhile food destination in NSW. It raves about good eating from the Southern highlands, Wollongong to Orange down to Ulladulla and Merimbula. All good reading,However, there is not one mention of any kind of dining experience in Kiama. We have more than once been voted the most favourite holiday town in NSW. It seems though that we've become all day-tripper, ice creams and burgers, with not enough balance in what's on offer. The town, with its coastal aspects, offers the most wonderful chance to present a seafood bar and grill experience. An inviting restaurant in the charismatic harbour with more style is what we need, as well as only the fish and chips takeaway, already on offer.The potential for Kiama to be more than a drive in, drive out day-trip restaurant experience is an untapped market. Let's hope, the future will offer a little more than coffee and toasties, enabling more scope for a worthwhile example of just what is possible in the culinary world of 2025.The Herald's Good Food Guide presents a tantalising list of South Coast epicurean delights. It's a shame we don't get a mention.Greg ValeKiama

Turning Bombo Quarry into housing is not only smart but the right thing to do because it maintains the beautiful rural environment unlike another major development proposed that will destroy our rural vistas. Well done, NSW Government and Kiama Council for having it as a priority on the local housing strategic plan. This will secure housing that is close to transport links, sewer, etc for many years to come. Cheers,Roy Rogers

When ex-Kiama Mayor Neil Reilly retired some time ago, he said in The Bugle that now he had time to devote more time to his passion which is creative writing.You will find a fair amount of creative content in his latest offering in The Bugle.In this article, he suggests that it is not the elections won or the titles held in public life, it is in fact the humanity shown that really counts. The ex-Mayor did not show any humanity to his fellow councilor, Karen Renkema-Lang, when he instigated censure proceedings against her after she expressed her opinion in an ABC radio interview. Nor did he show any humanity when he elected to contest, in the courts, her efforts to have the censure motion lifted. Nor did he show humanity when he wasted a vast amount of ratepayers' dollars in pursuit of this frivolous and unjust quest. It seems creative fantasy is alive and well now. Back then, humanity shown was on life support. Denis Balding,KiamaEditor's note: Mr Reilly has responded by saying some of the claims in this letter to the editor are wildly inaccurate

The NSW Government is moving to toughen up the system for dealing with councillor misconduct, shifting many cases from the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) to the Land and Environment Court (LEC).Under the proposed reforms, serious breaches of the Councillor Code of Conduct would be handled more quickly, with stricter penalties and less room for procedural gamesmanship.Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig, was blunt in explaining the changes.“The process for holding councillors to account for serious misconduct is too weak and is hamstrung by procedural complexity. The system is long, slow, and ineffective.”Kiama Council CEO Jane Stroud agrees that reform is overdue. She said the code had too often been “weaponised” for political point-scoring.“The Court will deal with serious matters of a breach of the code of conduct, and this formality will deter petty, political squabbles,” she said.The changes would also empower mayors and CEOs to dismiss frivolous complaints outright.In cases where complaints are lodged in bad faith, councillors could even be made to pay part of the investigation costs.Although Kiama’s current Council is still relatively new, there have already been three breaches of the code of conduct, along with several unrecorded but frivolous complaints.Reports across NSW show this is not unusual, with allegations and formal complaints a regular feature of council terms.The problem is twofold: the personal toll on councillors subjected to long and stressful investigations, and the financial cost borne by ratepayers. Each complaint triggers administrative processes that can include external investigators, legal reviews, and significant staff time.Perhaps the greater cost, however, is to democracy itself. When councillors fear that speaking up might trigger a retaliatory complaint, the quality of debate suffers and the community misses out on robust, open discussion.While stricter penalties may reduce misconduct and discourage abuse of the system, reform should also include better training. All councillors, new and experienced, would benefit from learning practical ways to navigate conflict and disagreement without reaching for the code of conduct.Productive disagreement is not only inevitable in politics, it’s essential. A handful of councillors misusing the system can undermine trust in the whole council, but when debate is genuine and respectful, collaboration thrives and the community is better served.

As summer approaches, Kiama has an opportunity to reimagine how we celebrate together.Fireworks have been a tradition, but they’re costly, noisy, and weather-dependent. Drones are exciting, but often unreliable in our coastal winds.I’d love to see Kiama take a bold new direction with a Light and Water Spectacle - a show of lasers, lights, and ocean mist set to music.It would be uniquely “Kiama”: ocean-themed, family-friendly, and environmentally kinder than fireworks.This isn’t just about entertainment - it’s about identity. Imagine our harbour lit up in colour, boats joining a “parade of lights,” and music broadcast locally so people can watch from wherever they gather.It could become a signature summer event that draws visitors while giving locals something to be proud of.For me, this is also personal. My family name, Capodanno, literally means “New Year.”Helping our town find a fresh, modern way to celebrate feels symbolic - like a new chapter for Kiama.I share this idea not as a finished plan, but as a spark.What could we create together if we dared to reimagine how Kiama celebrates?Sincerely,Sofia Capodanno

I attended the Meet the Candidates session at the Kiama Pavilion last Wednesday. The candidates delivered their speeches, mainly about their ability and willingness to listen to the community and take the community’s issues up to the state government level. They spoke about their volunteer and employment histories and personal interests which had led them to stand in the by-election.Youth was mentioned once and that was in relation to sport. There was an absence of social issues other than the cost of renting. There were no questions asked from the audience. The prepared questions from the MC for the candidates were all about small businesses and tourism.The first was about the demise of small businesses, the impact of payroll tax, the need for government-funded programs to support and advise businesses.The second question focused on Kiama’s recent national bronze award as a Tourist Town, and the impact of the government withdrawing support for the tourist industry. Kiama was the only town mentioned other than the lighting for Michael Cronin Oval in Gerringong.The majority of the audience was over 70 years of age. A smaller number were over 50 years of age and younger voters were nowhere to be seen. There was no mention of the need for youth services and facilities with programs, no mention of homeless youth. It was all about tourism and small businesses.Liberal money, $26 million, has been pledged for the Kiama Leisure Centre and sports facilities and $200,000 to upgrade lighting at Cronin Oval. Labor has provided $200,000 in funding for a designated entertainment precinct and $3 million for potholes and roads.Issues concerning the needs of everyday mums and dads and their children were not addressed. I made contact with the candidates after the formal part of the evening had finished and alerted them to the fact that there was a need for a Community Youth Centre in Gerringong to address the needs of our youngpeople.Margaret LesterChairperson: Gerringong Community Action Group for Youth

The South Illawarra Older Women's Network has developed some pertinent questions for the by-election candidates seeking their positions on the issue of older women facing housing insecurity in the Kiama electorate. We present these as an Open Letter to the 13 candidates. The questions are:Relative to the whole of NSW, Kiama LGA has a high proportion of unoccupied dwellings and therefore a lower average occupancy rate of existing housing. This reflects Kiama's role as a popular holiday-home destination. About 6% of dwellings are used for short-term rental accommodation - a figure that is also above the NSW average. Given this underutilisation of our housing stock, what are your plans for increasing the number of permanent rental properties available, particularly for highly vulnerable cohorts such as women over the age of 55, and at rents that are affordable?Can you tell us about any practical solutions you are considering to provide safe and secure housing for older women escaping domestic violence? Currently, refuges are not geared for the specific needs of older women and are at capacity on any given day. In addition, wait lists for social housing are up to 10 years.SIOWN and Supported Accommodation & Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra (SAHSSI) are keen to facilitate grassroots support to older women in the local area. Initially they wish to get a better understanding of the extent of housing insecurity in this group by inviting women to share their stories. By increasing the visibility of this often invisible problem, they can start to fine-tune the kind of support that would be most effective. Ultimately their aim is to establish a program that enables older women to find secure homes when they find themselves at risk of homelessness through no fault of their own. If you were to become our State Government representative, would you be prepared to commit to supporting such an initiative, and in what ways?Kind regards, Julie McDonaldCoordinatorSouth Illawarra Older Women's Network