Kiama Municipal Council is celebrating what it says is significant progress made on a NSW Government-issued Performance Improvement Order, with a current completion rate of 70% of actions, and nearly all remaining actions underway.
Kiama Mayor, Cameron McDonald said: “Hitting the 70% mark for our Performance Improvement Order is a great achievement and a tribute to the efforts of every single person at Council.”
The Council CEO’s report on the PIO presented at this week’s Council meeting found the Council has now completed nearly three-quarters of the actions outlined in the Order.
“We are also well on the way through our own Strategic Finance & Governance Improvement Plan, which incorporates the PIO and more, with more than 55 actions in this Plan completed and a further 35% nearing completion. Only six tasks in this Plan remain wholly outstanding.”
“Of course, there is still more to do, including our service reviews, which will ensure our ratepayers (who are essentially our shareholders) that they’re getting a good return on their investment.”
“It’s worth stopping to celebrate these milestones. I am proud of the team’s achievements,” Mayor McDonald said.
The Council also endorsed a suite of high-level strategic documents including the Council’s Community Strategic Plan, Long Term Financial Plan, Budget, Fees and Charges and Delivery and Operational Plan.
The CSP is a 10-year document that is revised and updated every four years when a new body of Councillors is elected.
“Kiama Council consulted widely with our community to create this CSP 2025-2035 – taking on board feedback from thousands of community members who attended our pop-up events, made submissions and spoke to Councillors,” the Council said in a statement.
The Delivery and Operational Plan (DPOP) was also endorsed outlining in detail what Council will do towards achieving the vision set out in the CSP.
Mayor McDonald said the Council’s Budget and Long Term Financial Plan reflects the hard work Council has done to get its finances back on track.
“The figures show we’re well in line to achieve a surplus budget in 2026-27. Council has reduced our overall budget deficit to $3.4 million, down from a previous deficit of $18 million,” he said.
“One of the most important highlights in this suite of documents is that we’ve dropped our budget deficit by over $3 million. That’s an amazing $15 million in operational savings.”
Fees and Charges show a modest increase across the board, which reflect CPI and only go some way to recovering Council’s operating costs, as wages have also risen in line with inflation, while the cost of electricity has increased by double that, and Sydney Water charges have increased by 18%, the Council said.
Council rates were also endorsed to increase by the NSW Government (IPART) allowable amount of 3.7% for 2025-26.
“These figures show Council has made significant progress towards our goal of financial sustainability. It has not been easy and we are well aware of the hard work that underpins this sort of achievement,” said Mayor McDonald.
