Direct election of Mayor

Published on 19 July 2023

Kiama residents and ratepayers will get to decide whether they want to directly elect their mayor, in a referendum at next year’s local government elections.

Kiama Council is currently the only council in our region where the mayor is decided by incoming councillors at their first meeting after an election.

Wollongong, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Bega voters all directly elect their mayor.

Councillors last night voted to hold the referendum at the same time as next year’s council elections, to reduce costs.

If successful, the first direct election of Mayor would be held at the local government elections in 2028.

The local government elections are scheduled for 14 September 2024.

A proposal to reduce the number of Kiama councillors from nine to seven, which would also require a referendum, was deferred at last night’s meeting.

Further information:

Constitutional referendums and council polls