As part of the varied Performance Improvement Order (PIO) issued by the NSW Government, Kiama Council has developed a Draft Revenue Improvement Strategy to identify lawful recurring revenue opportunities.
The PIO mandated that Council needed to develop and publicly display this Draft Strategy within 60 days of the PIO being issued (30 June 2026).
Having met this state requirement, Council now wants to hear from the community about their preferences for revenue-generating opportunities so that a clear direction can be established.
The Draft Strategy will be discussed at Council's Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday night and placed on public exhibition from next Friday for 28 days in accordance with the PIO.
During this time, local residents can submit feedback by getting involved in the community engagement processes to provide their view to the Councillors.
Using this information, Councillors will then refine and finalise the Revenue Improvement Strategy.
Among the many options in the Draft Strategy to be considered are paid parking for non-residents, the future of Council's catalyst sites, fees and charges, and property optimisation as recommended in the Strategic Asset Review, which will also go on public exhibition, alongside Special Rates Variation (SRV) options.
Council CEO Jane Frawley said financial sustainability is an issue which is affecting the entire local government sector nationwide.
"Kiama's issues are more acute and require resolution under the varied PIO by 2027-28," Ms Frawley said.
"The delivery of this Draft Revenue Improvement Strategy meets the first action in the PIO and is simply the beginning of gathering feedback from the community so we can ascertain what their preference for revenue-raising strategies are.
"We looked at every source of revenue that Council derives and could derive, and considered opportunities we might have. No decision has been made yet and we are looking forward to hearing from the community so a firm direction can be established in partnership with the elected representatives."
Residents are encouraged to read the Draft Revenue Improvement Strategy and the report in the meeting agenda on Council's website, and to put forward any other ideas they might have.
