Kiama Councillor Mark Croxford lodged a Notice of Motion on 28 June that proposes to reduce the number of Kiama councillors elected at the 2028 local government elections from nine to seven councillors.
The Notice of Motion (NOM) follows on from Cr Croxford’s Question for Future Meeting, that was put forward at our Ordinary Council Meeting on 20 June 2023.
The decision to reduce the number of councillors is not something the elected Council can decide on its own. If the NOM is endorsed, it would require a referendum, meaning all Kiama’s residents and ratepayers who are on the electoral roll would get to vote for or against the proposal.
However, before it gets to this stage, the Local Government Act requires that, the CEO must place the NOM on public notice for 42 days for community consultation, after which time a report will go up to the sitting Council for consideration.
Kiama CEO Jane Stroud has publicly released the NOM received from Cr Croxford today.
“I understand that the Kiama community may have many and varied views on this proposal. I invite everyone to read the Notice of Motion and make a formal submission via our website,” Ms Stroud said.
Once the submission period has closed, all submissions will be compiled and analysis provided in a report to councillors, so the NOM can be considered.
If Kiama’s Councillors approved the motion, it would trigger a referendum, which is likely to be a lengthy process that will involve further community consultation.
“I encourage everyone to consider the NOM share their views and ideas, but also to remember there is a longer process – including a chance for our whole voting community to have their say in a referendum – before anything will change,” said Ms Stroud
Cr Croxford has issued his own media statement on the NOM today.
View Cr Croxford's Notice of Motion - reduce the number of Kiama Councillors(PDF, 460KB)
Submissions close 5pm, Tuesday 8 August.
Make a submission
Update: 11 July
On 29 June, Council received a Notice of Motion from Cr Stuart Larkins that proposes Kiama Council change from a councillor-elected to a directly elected Mayor by 2028.
Cr Larkins' NOM is attached(PDF, 100KB).
Further, the Office of Local Government has this week advised Kiama Council that Cr Croxford's NOM does not require exhibition.
However, at Council we recognise the significance of these issues to the community. Therefore Kiama Council will continue to take submissions on both these NOMs.
Your submissions will all be read and considered and will be used to inform a future council report.
Make a submission