New Council Director
Carbon footprint going down p3
p3
Wasteland transformed
Shorebirds need your help p5
Input sought on regional plan
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19 SEPT 2020
Councillors settle in for another year Kiama Councillors 2016-2021, (left to right): Mark Way, Andrew Sloan, Kathy Rice, Neil Reilly, Mark Honey, Mark Westhoff, Warren Steel, Matt Brown and Don Watson
The others echoed this sentiment when asked what is the best thing about being a councillor, with Mayor Honey saying, “The interaction with community members and getting an understanding of their relationship with Council, both good and bad.” When asked what the challenges of being a councillor were, the responses varied. Cllrs Rice and Sloan, and Mayor Honey think the biggest challenge in being a councillor is the way the State Government has an increasing role in local govIf this was a ‘normal’ year, term so far and what they in nine months’ time,” says ernment. this edition would be bringplan to concentrate on in this the Mayor. Cllr Reilly says it is the ing news of the results of the bonus year. Two councillors, Andrew need to encourage critical Kiama Council election. Of the nine, only four, Sloan and Mark Westhoff, thinking; for Cllr Way it is Instead, given the postCouncillors Neil Reilly, Kathy told The Bugle they will not getting other councillors to ponement of elections across Rice, Don Watson and Matt be seeking another term. support projects and visions, the State to 4 September Brown, are definite they are Cllr Sloan, the youngest and to “leave personalities 2021, Kiama councillors going to stand again. member of Council, will and politics out of the equahave had their term extended Three, Mayor Mark Honey not be standing due to the tion”. to a fifth year. and Councillors Warren demands of his work, but will Cllr Steel says the biggest The September meeting Steel and Mark Way, remain be supporting fellow Green challenge is, “Convincing will choose a mayor for the undecided. Kathy Rice for re-election. some of my fellow councilnext year, and in 2021 coun“I am considering standing, He says he has taken his re- lors to be more creative and cillors will be voted in for a but maybe I will be too old,” sponsibilities as a councillor think outside the square three year term. says Councillor Steel, who very seriously over the last when coming up with We contacted all nine coun- has served on Council since eight years. challenges that Council has cillors to find out whether 1999, following an earlier “Being in a position to help to consider, such as our Harthey will be running again stint from 1983-7. people and support commu- bour and Jerrara Dam.” in 2021, what they are most “It is a question I would be nity needs and initiatives is a Cllr Brown says it is work continued on p14 proud of achieving in their more comfortable to answer privilege.”
Benefits from working with the NextGEN
An innovative program matching Kiama High students with local businesses has been designed to be a win:win for participants. Through the NextGEN Digital Business program, a joint initiative of Kiama Council and the Kiama Community College, businesses can establish or improve their online profile to generate more exposure for their business,
Glen Hayworth with Kiama High’s Ben Lavis
whilst supporting local students studying Commerce, IT and Business Studies to develop employability skills and experience. It is a revised version of a program offered a few years ago, this time under the direction of local business coach Glen Hayworth
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