As your councillor, I want to contribute with intention and significance.
On this page I will show records of how I have advocated on behalf of our community and what I have achieved
recent Achievements
| When | Where | What | Supports our Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 December 2022 | Ordinary Council Meeting | Called for Council to develop a gender equity strategy and action plan and to work with Lake Illawarra Police District, community groups, neighbouring councils and other organisations to address domestic and gender-based violence across the Illawarra Shoalhaven region. Successful Refer page 18, minutes of December meeting. |  |
achievements in 2022
| When | Where | What | Supports our Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 November 2022 | Ordinary Council Meeting | Called for a reserve fund to be established to fund building capacity of stormwater infrastructure, mitigating the high risks identified in Coastal Management and River and Estuary Management Plans, managing land zoned as bushfire prone, and restoring land identified as high and significant biodiversity value. Successful (see page 23 minutes of 15 November 2022 meeting) |  |
| 18 October 2022 | Ordinary Council Meeting | Called for Council to write to the Illawarra Greater City Commissioner expressing our desire for greater engagement and requesting a community information session be provided – unsuccessful (page 16 minutes of 18 October 2022 meeting) |  |
| 18 October 2022 | Ordinary Council Meeting | Called for feedback provided by community experts on the Kiama Vegetation study to be reported to Council for future consideration, noting that no community consultation had been considered in the study – unsuccessful (page 15 minutes of 18 October 2022 meeting) | |
| 13 October 2022 | Extraordinary Council Meeting | Voted (unsuccessfully) against selling Blue Haven Bonaira in its entirety – including Barroul House (page 4 minutes of 13 October 2022 meeting) |  |
| 20 September 2022 | Ordinary Council Meeting | Called for Council to self-report to the Independent Commission Against Corruption noting concerns of possible corrupt conduct – the motion was successful (page 26 minutes of 20 September 2022 meeting) | |
| 20 September 2022 | Ordinary Council Meeting | Voted (successfully) against an Expression of Interest to sell of all of Blue Haven (page 26 minutes of 20 September 2022 meeting) | |
| 20 September 2022 | Ordinary Council Meeting | Voted (unsuccessfully) against the staff recommendation to increase the maximum building heights in the Kiama Town Centre to 17 and 21m (5 and 6 storeys) (page 14 minutes of 20 September 2022 meeting) | |
| 16 August 2022 | Ordinary Council Meeting | Called for Council to consider the social and conservation value as well as the operational, community and recreational needs when considering the sale of Council land. The motion was lost (page 20 minutes of Council meeting 16 August 2022) | |
| 19 July 2022 | Council Meeting | Proposed that projections for population growth and housing needs in the Kiama LGA are to be provided as part of the dwelling approvals and completions in Quarterly Planning Update and Statistics (see p12 of minutes of 19 July Meeting). Council has ongoing challenges with infrastructure capacity (traffic, parking, stormwater, sewage..). Being informed of projected growth compared against new development will help with planning decisions, when advocating to NSW Government for sewer upgrades, and when Councillors are determining proposals to open green fields development | |
| 19 July 2022 | Council Meeting | Proposed that the Mayor and CEO jointly write to the Minister for Planning and Homes on Council’s behalf, requesting that the NSW Government overturn the Department of Planning’s decision to rezone South Kiama for urban development and seek advocacy from the Premier and Local Member on the same matter on several key aspects –(p17 of minutes 19 July Meeting). | |
| 28 June 2022 | Council Meeting | Collaborated with Clr Draisma, other Councillors and members of the Community which resulted in a resolution of Council to submit an application for state heritage listing of the Police Residence, the Police Station and the Courthouse, and for the adoption of the Heritage and Conservation Chapter of the Kiama Development Control plan (p22 of minutes 28 June Meeting). | |
| 24 May 2022 | KCP Meeting | Presented at the Kiama Central Precinct meeting, providing updates and forward programmes for the Coastal Management Plan including information regarding The Australian Coastal Communities Association. | |
| 23 May 2022 | Extraordinary Council Meeting | Collaborated with other Councillors to ensure rescind motion for Blue Haven was upheld allowing Council to pause and consult with the community, consider alternative options and to have more accurate & finalised financial data. Refer minutes of 23 May meeting, page 7. | |
| 12 April 2022 | Council Meeting | In relation to the intended sale of Council assets to relieve immediate financial pressures, I collaborated with Councillors Keast and Draisma to successfully pass a motion that Council will prepare a business case that defines the parameters and criteria (financial and non-financial) to use in considering divestment/retention of assets. The Financial Advisory Committee will review and comment on the business case. Progress against the Strategic Improvement Plan will be made public on the Council website. Refer to April 12 Minutes here. page 11 agenda item 11.5 | |
| 12 April 2022 | Council Meeting | Collaborated with other Councillors to strengthen opportunities for rural and agricultural land by gaining agreement to establish a Rural Futures Reference Group and supporting a motion to develop a Rural and Agricultural Opportunities strategy. Refer to April 12 Minutes here. | |
| 12 April 2022 | Council Meeting | Gained unanimous agreement for the 2022-2023 budget to consider: 1. Alternative revenue sources from new clean technologies, rural and agricultural ventures and tourism initiatives that protect and preserve our natural habitats. 2. Systematically and progressively implementing the long outstanding actions required to preserve and protect the vulnerable land and marine species, ecological communities, and wildlife corridors throughout the municipality. 3. Systematically and progressively implementing work to rectify inadequacies in Councils road and storm water infrastructure network that are resulting in significant damage and escalating risks across the municipality Refer to April 12 Minutes here. | |
| 12 April 2022 | Council Meeting | Gained unanimous agreement for the 2022-2023 budget to consider: The introduction of new or strengthening existing capability (with additional suitably qualified people) to better manage our finances, and also our natural environment, rural lands, and critical infrastructure Refer to April 12 Minutes here. | |
| 15 March 2022 | Council Meeting | Regarding Blue Haven Kiama, I proposed that Council contact the Member for Gilmore Mrs Fiona Phillips MP, seeking a meeting with the local member and minister for aged care services: 1. Highlighting, as detailed in the Royal Aged Care Commission report, the urgent need for increased federal funding across the aged care sector. 2. Seeking advice on all existing grant and other funding sources available to aged care providers. 3. Acknowledging the joint responsibility of aged care providers and the Federal Government to provide a duty of care for residents in aged care facilities and recipients of aged care services. 4. Acknowledging the joint responsibility providers and Federal Government to provide ongoing ageing in place options for residents who live in aged care facilities such as Bonaira and Terralong Street independent living units. 5. Acknowledging the broad ranging benefits that Blue Haven, under Council ownership and management, has brought to our community. Proposal accepted. | |
| 15 March 2022 | Council Meeting | I collaborated with Councillors to successfully pass a motion for Council to develop a policy to better manage conflicts of interest in line with ICAC guidelines. including preventing active property developers or other business entities from participating on groups or committees that can unduly influence land zonings, LEP controls and development standards. Amendment accepted. Refer 12 March Council Minutes click here – Item 17.4 page 20. | |
| 15 Feb to Mar 15 2022 | Council Meeting | Voted in support of 11 Development Applications and infrastructure proposals, including the Woolworths upgrade, Gerringong SLSC, Hindmarsh Park refurbishment. All are proceeding. In addition, voted in support of the following local business ventures, all of which have been adopted: Agreement with Service NSW (to deliver the services within the Service NSW for Business program), Stoic Brewery, Jamberoo Road Farm stay, Commercial fitness and personal training activities use of public land policy & Jamberoo Croom Farm Stay. | |
| 24 Feb 2022 | Council Meeting | Proposed the establishment of a Grants Committee. Unanimously accepted | |
| 24 Feb 2022 | Council Meeting | Proposed the amendment (which was unanimously supported) to establish a reference group “Rural Futures” to determine future agri-business opportunities across the LGA. Unanimously accepted. | |
| 15 Feb 2022 | Council Meeting | During January worked cooperatively with Council staff and Councillors to advocate for the release of the State of the Organisation, that was subsequently tabled. Read the SOO report here, page 306 of the Agenda for 15 Feb 2022 Council Meeting. Read my response to the SOO report here. | |
| 10 Feb 2022 | Kiama | Karen Renkema-Lang appointed as a NSW representative to the Australian Coastal Councils Association (ACCA). With only 2 positions available per state, securing a seat with this national body representing the interests of coastal communities, is an important gain for Kiama Council. | |
| 22 Jan 2022 | Hindmarsh Park Kiama | Addressed the public rally to Save South Kiama from re zoning & development, More information here. | |
| 11 Jan 2022 | Council Meeting | Stood to uphold the Monday Public Access meeting and worked with other councillors to formulate amendment motion and voted in support. Motion carried unanimously. More detail Council minutes https://www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/Council/Council-meetings/Agendas-Minutes | |