Focusing on further action

With the deadline for Performance Improvement Orders set by the Minister for Local Government looming at the end of June, Kiama Council has issued its draft Strategic Improvement Plan (SIP) 2.

"Our State of the Organisation led to the SIP 1. Now we have the Performance Improvement Orders that are guiding SIP 2," says Mayor Neil Reilly.

"It is really important that the OLG (Office of Local Government) regard us as the manager of this. The SIP is something we have developed ourselves, as the mechanism for how we will overcome our difficulties." continued on page 12

The draft (available in the March Council Business Papers) will be the subject of a councillor workshop before the strategic approach is finalised at the April Meeting.

The Mayor is keen to point out that it will be a living document, monitored and adjusted regularly.

Supreme Court to order a withdrawal of the caveat.

“I consider this option as best as the need to remove the caveat is urgent and the caveator bears the burden to establish a caveatable interest and reasonable cause (i.e. an interest in the land).

“Given Council is subject to a State Government issued Performance Improvement Order, relating directly to its financial position, all steps available should be explored with a degree of urgency and assertiveness.”

Council owns both five fully serviced housing blocks on Glenbrook Drive (2772m2), and a 22.7 acre (9.2ha) holding of residential zone land opposite and to the north of them.

Some master planning was done on the site in 2018, but it has not been formally subdivided. It is believed it would yield upwards of 90 blocks, possibly as many as 120.

With current land values, this would raise considerable money for Council and increase housing availability in the area.

"We are looking for solutions to our financial situation and it is right there," says CEO Jane Stroud.

"It would absolutely change the game and the other decisions that have to be made."