Kickstart for local events
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Learn more Dharawal p7
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27 AUGUST 2022
Councillors put on notice by Minister A show of unity at an Extraordinary Meeting, held to make the NSW AuditorGeneral’s letter to the Minister for Local Government public, may have done its bit to help Council ward off intervention by the State. Immediately after tonight’s Extraordinary Meeting, Mayor Neil Reilly and CEO Jane Stroud spoke with the Minister for Local Government, Wendy Tuckerman. “It was a very sobering experience,” says Mayor Reilly. “The Minister is seeking action and that is not going to be easy, but her message is clear.
“The unity of tonight’s meeting could only have helped our cause.” Mayor Reilly reports the Minister supported the proactive stance of releasing the letter from the Auditor-General, saying it was in line with the transparency shown by Council throughout this whole scenario. “She said now is the time for decisive action,” he says. “She agrees the Council is working in unity and suggested it would be foolish to do otherwise. “She said she will help us along the way with whatever she can do.”
Council will not be progressing with Councillor Warren Steel’s idea of looking for partners to redevelop Kendalls Beach Holiday Park into a five star hotel, with Councillors voting 7:2 against the proposal (Steel and Croxford for). Councillor Kathy Rice said the idea had no community support and was no quick fix given the time it would take to reclassify the land. Councillors Croxford and Brown expressed concerns about the criticism of Cllr Steel on social media, given his good intentions. “I am also concerned about
Kiama’s financial position but I don’t think this is a solution to that. We need to focus on what is fundamentally wrong and not look for quick fixes,” said Councillor Brown. After the vote, Cllr Croxford unsuccessfully tried to have the Holiday Park included on the list of assets under consideration for divestment. “If we are serious about resolving our financial matters, it does not hurt us to put this property on the list.” He pointed out that any recommendation for divestment would have to come to Council for endorsement.
The Minister immediately took the unusual step of writing to each councillor individually, to point out the urgency of the situation and their responsibilities under the Local Government Act. The letter goes on to say, “Should I view Council’s actions are not in accordance with the responsibilities outlined I will consider enacting further intervention options that are available to me.” At the meeting, councillors all spoke of the need to work together to correct Council’s financial situation with a sense of urgency. The letter, which relates
to the 2020/21 year, notes significant concerns about going concern issues, the adequacy of Council’s books and records, and the use of externally restricted reserves (read the letter on page 4). “The councillors and I are being transparent in releasing this letter so our community can see exactly what it says. Although the letter does not convey good news, it is not new information and it does verify what myself, the Councillors and our CEO have been saying publicly in regard to Council’s financial situation for the past nine months now,” said Mayor
Kendalls to remain as is
Neil Reilly on its release. At the meeting, Councillor Matt Brown, who last week called for the letter to be released claiming that Council was insolvent (see Mayor’s response below), said, “It now falls upon us to work in collaboration with our staff and government agencies to make sure we are a going concern and that we make rational decisions that are on behalf of all of our ratepayers.” Councillor Croxford commended the work of the CEO and other key players, and spoke of the need to work together, “I would ask we continue to respect the intent that we are all trying to achieve, despite where you come from.” Councillor Draisma echoed the sentiments, “I look very much to continuing to deliver what we have promised at a previous Council meeting, to deliver long term solutions to the issues that we face, and to work constructively with our stakeholders, including the Auditor-General, the Office of Local Government and the Minister to come up with the appropriate solutions to the challenges we face.” She earlier unsuccessfully put forward an amendment to highlight that the situation was caused by decisions made in the past, and give protection to employees and services.
While querying some aspects of the letter’s analysis, Councillor Rice said “None of us would deny that Kiama Council’s financial situation is delicately balanced and our Strategic Improvement Plan seeks to address this.
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Trial for Ward
The Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward has been committed to stand trial for five charges of historical sexual violence. He appeared via video link at the commital hearing held in Nowra. The charges - three counts of assault with act of indecency, and one count each of sexual intercourse without consent and common assault - were laid in March, following an investigation by the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad into the historic alleged sexual abuse of a 27 year old man in Sydney in September 2015 and a 17 year old boy in Meroo Meadow in February 2013. Mr Ward has strongly denied the charges, but has yet to enter a plea. A trial date will be set on 14 September.