Kiama Council is celebrating Local Government Week (2 – 8 August) by highlighting the major role council plays in the municipality.
Mayor Mark Honey said residents would know Kiama Council was responsible for local roads, rates and rubbish, but may be less aware of the many other services we provide.
“Kiama Council also operates a free local library, provides halls and meeting rooms for community groups, provide grants and maintains our playgrounds and sporting fields,” Mayor Honey said.
“We also advocate for the interests of our community in planning matters and other issues that affect local liveability, sustainability, safety and amenity.”
Mayor Honey also said Kiama Council, as the largest aged care provider of any Australian council with Blue Haven Illawarra, was ensuring residents could continue to live in their community as they aged.
He also emphasised the hard work of councils working with their communities in recent years handling the tremendous challenges of bushfires, floods and COVID.
“The people of our municipality know all too well the effect all this has had on our community, especially the mental health of our young people.”
“The work of our council staff with local community groups in responding to this particular challenge is one of my proudest achievements as Mayor.
“I’m also extremely proud that Kiama Council is leading our community’s work to realise an environmentally sustainable future through our Net Zero strategy.”
Kiama Council recently released its Corporate Emissions Reduction Plan which sets a 10-year road map to become carbon neutral by 2031.
Mayor Honey said Local Government Week was a chance to celebrate the strength and resilience of the local community and council.
“The impact of COVID means we are not out of the woods yet, but thanks to the great work of staff throughout your Kiama Council, our vision of a healthy, sustainable and caring community remains intact,” he said.