Kiama Muncipal Council’s plans to cut jobs and outsource several services has ground to a halt, thanks to your union’s intervention.
Your union attended the Kiama Community Cabinet to advocate for the Kiama Community. From left to right: Aarron Vann (USU, Southern branch region organiser), Gary Vann (USU, South region Manager), NSW Premier Chris Minns, Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson MP, Darren Brennan (USU Delegate at Kiama Municipal Council)
At an Extraordinary Meeting on 7 April, called to discuss council’s 2026 – 2027 budget, your union organised a snap rally and contacted local media.
The rally had a strong turnout, made up of concerned locals, community groups, our members and local media outlets.
The intense scrutiny the rally brought to council’s doorstep led to two councillors, Cr. Imogen Draisma & Cr. Mike Cains fronting the crowd to answer questions and provide an update on the meeting’s outcomes.
While we were very pleased to see such a strong turnout at the rally, we knew our work wasn’t done.
Over the next few weeks, we lobbied state government and NSW Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig, to extend Kiama Council’s Performance Improvement Order.
Minister Hoenig took our concerns seriously and extended the performance improvement order for another 12 months.
The order places significant restrictions on council operations, including the contracting out of services.
Your union would like to thank Minister Hoenig for his intervention and our members for turning up at the rally and holding council to account.
The presence of so many concerned Kiama community members and local news outlets at council’s doorstep ensured council’s accountability.
Two Councillors from Kiama Municipal Council fronted their community and local media to take questions and provide an update on the Extraordinary Meeting. Left: (fmr) Cr. Michael Cains Right: Cr. Imogen Draisma
