Optimism on Killalea
Latest on Council election p3
p3
Local stars in Pandemicland p5
G’gong Library & Museum close
20th anniversary of G’gong Plaza
p7
p9
7 AUGUST 2021
Do your bit: Buy Local
New oversight for Blue Haven
Within a few months, Kiama Council’s aged care operations will be operating under a new management and governance structure, with the creation of the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO) and the establishment of a s355 committee. “I see the creation of the 355 committee and the new COO role as being key steps in Kiama Council’s approach to providing good leadership, professional acumen and focused attention on this imWith local businesses All businesses in the area, will also receive a prize of ad- portant part of our business,” suffering from the effects of not just Chamber members, vertising from the Chamber. says Council’s CEO, Jane the lockdown to our north, Stroud. are invited to register to parIzabella Venter of Terra Kiama & District Business “We are one of local govticipate in the campaign. Gallery (above) is one of the Chamber President Cameron “Businesses in the Munici- businesses suffering from the ernment’s largest providers McDonald says there has pality offer practically every- downturn, and she is keen to of aged care services and I’m never been a more important thing you could want, and committed to running this get behind the campaign. time to shop local. side of our business really we are hoping that people “We have had to cancel so “Some businesses are well.” will consider a local alterna- many events and classes, doing it very tough, with not Mayor Mark Honey says, tive at this time rather than and it is hard to know when only the lack of visitor trade going further afield,” says that side of our business can “By taking great care of but also locals having to our Blue Haven residents, Mr McDonald. open up again,” she says. isolate for various reasons,” I’m keen to see our proud Online purchases from “But our local artists keep he says. tradition of aged care local businesses also count. producing fantastic new With this at front of mind, services honoured, and give Each time people spend work so there is always the Chamber has launched the service the bold future it $25 or more in a transaction, something different to see its third annual Shop Local needs in the face of industry they will be in the running to here. campaign to encourage reform, changing commerwin one of ten $100 vouch“Artworks can make your residents to buy goods and cial realities and increased ers, accepted by participating home a happy place, and services from local business- businesses. compliance requirements.” now’s a good time to fill the es. The Committee has been “This is another way to blank spaces and walls with Under the philosophy that in the pipeline since the keep the money circulating some lovely local art.” every little bit helps, the qual- within our local economy,” Royal Commission into Aged The campaign will conifying spend for a chance Care recommended that says Mr McDonald. clude at the end of October. to win has been reduced to The business connected to Look for the big red sticker, governing bodies must have $25 from $50. a majority of independent the first drawn prizewinner and Buy Local.
non-executive members, and that those members must have appropriate experience in governance and care provision. Under the Local Government Act, councils are able to delegate aspects of their management functions, to do with managing facilities and supporting strategic vision, to a s355 committee. The committee will be known as the Blue Haven Advisory Board. A specialist recruitment firm began advertising for the new COO role this week, with an expected nine week timeframe. Until now, the management of Blue Haven has been undertaken by a Council Director, who has at times had other community responsibilities.
The decision by Ms Stroud to create a new position is the first step in a long overdue review of Council’s organisational structure, which is now even more timely given the number of staff in acting roles. “Council was very keen for me to have a look at the status of this role and to figure out a direction forward,” she says. “I have had a good look at the size and scale of the business and I wanted to treat that senior staff role quite distinct from the other local government focused directors. “This is a specialised service so the COO role and the title reflect exactly that. “I want this role focused on
Council’s CEO Jane Stroud at Blue Haven Bonaira
continued on p6