Kiama Municipal Council will place its 2026-27 draft budget on public exhibition after Councillors considered a range of options at Tuesday night's April ordinary meeting.
Councillors voted to approve the draft budget, Council's Delivery and Operational Plan (DPOP) and Fees & Charges documents as well as a Revenue Policy (statement).
These will be placed on public exhibition for 28 days, as required under the Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) guidelines.
Also at the meeting, Councillors approved a motion to consider an unsolicited proposal from Reflections Holidays to potentially form a joint venture partnership with the largest holiday park group in NSW.
The partnership has the potential to greatly reduce the need for changes to Council services and staffing.
Key strategies outlined in the 2026-27 draft budget include:
- Continued operational efficiencies to continue making improvements to its operating result.
- Service reductions due to a relatively small revenue base of 10,000 residential ratepayers.
- Staffing establishment reductions to "right-size" Council's operations.
- A Special Rate Variation was included as an alternate in the Long Term Financial Plan. An application directed to asset maintenance backlog could be considered. It is important to note that the introduction of an SRV is not a preferred scenario at this stage and Council will focus on achieving operational efficiencies and service reviews before considering an SRV.
- Capital works reductions as the program is heavily reliant on capital grants and reserve funding with minimal allocation from general or unrestricted funds.
- A $10 million loan for Blue Haven Terralong fire safety work which is needed to ensure the retirement village complies with regulations.
- OneCouncil implementation - an important project which continues to progress as a financial and operating software platform.
Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald welcomed the decision to endorse the suite of documents to go on public exhibition.
"This is a major step forward for Kiama Council," he said.
"There are still many important decisions that need to be made and we will do so in the coming weeks after listening to the community about what matters to them."
All documents are drafts and Council officers will refine elements following the public exhibition period.
Council welcomes feedback and consultation from the community and stakeholders before the budget is adopted in June.
