“It’s a shock but it’s a fact”
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EXCLUSIVE: Kiama Council’s CEO speaks out
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10 April - 16 April March 2026 ] Kiama Minnamurra Kiama Downs Jamberoo Gerringong Gerroa
“SHAME, SHAME, SHAME” Council protest erupts in frustration
Kiama’s budget backlash W hen Kiama Municipal Council announced, the Thursday before the Easter weekend, that it would hold an Extraordinary Meeting the following Tuesday to explore “a range of options for the upcoming 2026–27 financial year budget” – the backlash was immediate and intense. Throughout the long weekend, local residents and community groups rallied across social media, sharing concerns, exchanging information, and organising plans to protest ahead of the meeting.
Many expressed shock at the scale and severity of the measures being proposed to close Kiama’s widening budget gap, with fears quickly spreading about what cuts could mean for the future of the town. The Bugle ran rolling coverage as the controversy surrounding the meeting unfolded, capturing the voices of residents who stepped forward to speak at the public forum, as well as the growing protests that took shape outside Council Chambers while the meeting was underway. Emotions ran high, with
frustration, confusion and concern evident across all corners of the community. With local jobs and essential community services under threat, and the future of Blue Haven Terralong Street under debate – not to mention the potential impact on the leisure centre and tourist operations – every demographic within the community has its own ‘musthave’ it is fighting to protect. With a projected $4.5 million deficit and a Performance Improvement Order (PIO) timeline requiring the budget
to be balanced by the end of the upcoming financial year, Council faces mounting pressure. In this special budget issue, The Bugle speaks to local residents, community groups and Councillors about the upcoming challenges, the potential solutions on the table, and how Kiama reached this critical point. In an exclusive interview, Kiama Council CEO Jane Stroud addresses the “vitriolic” backlash she has faced, and outlines how residents can ensure their voices are heard in the challenging times that are ahead.
The 19-yearold fighting for youth support
“Too many lives have been lost”
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