Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald spoke of the importance of building on Council's economic progress at the annual Kiama Business Network Mayoral Breakfast at The Sebel on Thursday.
Around 70 business leaders, representing a broad sample of our local community, attended the event along with Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips.
Mayor McDonald was joined by outgoing Deputy Mayor Melissa Matters and her successor in the role, fellow Councillor Stuart Larkins, in delivering keynote addresses.
KBN President Cathryn Lyall said the breakfast was an excellent chance for local businesspeople to hear about the future of the local economic landscape.
The annual Mayoral Breakfast provides an opportunity for our KBN members to hear directly from our Mayor and Councillors on key matters that impact our local business community," she said.
"It's a forum to reflect on recent challenges and decisions in local government, and take some time to look forward at the opportunities for our LGA.
"Feedback from members has been very positive with many attendees praising the new Deputy Mayor's remarks and Mayor Cameron McDonald's forthright and authentic speech that touched on all the issues top of mind for our local businesses and community."
Mayor McDonald relished the chance to show Council means business when it comes to supporting local operators who are facing rising costs.
"Now that we've got the Mayoral vote out of the way, my one and only focus is getting on with the job over the next two years to build on the momentum we've already generated," he said.
"We are in better shape organisationally than we have been in a long time but there's a long list of things for us to do to help our community and our businesses.
"We don't live in a bubble - it is very hard to keep pace with the actual costs in the current economic climate, whether you're a Council or a business.
"We've put our ideas out to the community in our Draft Revenue Improvement Strategy and we want to hear not just from residents but also business leaders about what should be done to safeguard Kiama's long-term financial prosperity."
Councillor Larkins, who was elected as Deputy Mayor last week, said one of his main focus areas will be supporting our young workers.
"One of the best ways we can do that is by accessing the Fresh Start Program provided by the Office of Local Government," he said.
"We have some staff members at Kiama Council who are getting a kick-start in their career from this program and I know there are small businesses in our LGA who are also giving younger workers a helping hand via this initiative."
Cr Matters reflected with pride on her two years as Deputy Mayor and said she would continue to direct her attention towards helping small businesses in the local government area.
"I was asked the other day what I'm most proud of during my time as Deputy Mayor and it's a tough question to answer," she said.
"What I'd probably say is the amount of hard work that we've achieved as a Council to get the wheels in motion so that we can get back on track.
"For those of you who were hoping that now I'm no longer Deputy Mayor that you will be hearing less of me, I see this as a chance to speak up even more about grassroots issues."
Burnetts on Barney added a touch of spring to the breakfast with beautiful floral table decorations.
KBN also acknowledged the recent win by Marketing Movement in the Employer of Choice category at the Business Illawarra Awards.
The Kiama agency, which has operated for eight years, will now progress to represent the region as a state finalist at the Business NSW Awards on 30 October in Sydney.
