At the 20 May 2025 Kiama Municipal Council meeting, something curious happened. Councillor Imogen Draisma tabled a construction agreement signed by both Kiama Council and the Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club, a document that forms the basis of the surf club’s brand-new building.
The catch? It wasn’t dated.
So, in a very public moment, Councillor Draisma did what any responsible representative would: she asked if this was good governance.
The CEO’s answer? A flat “No.”
You’d think that would be the end of it. But in true Kiama Council fashion, that was only the beginning of the theatre.
Watch the drama play out here beginning at 33.52 m
In a follow-up question, Draisma asked why council staff and surf club members had signed an undated legal document.
The CEO responded with an air of formality: she didn’t know.
She then explained that Council usually keeps a record in the CEO’s office showing when documents are submitted and signed, and that “it is usual practice to date and document all signatures.”
Lovely. Except she didn’t say whether that process was followed. No dates. No names. No real answers. In other words, a masterclass in sounding accountable without actually being accountable.
This is not an isolated slip. It’s part of a broader pattern, where the optics of order are used to distract from a lack of follow-through.
Remember: this is a contract tied to a building that already exists. It has been physically constructed. Ratepayers are using it. And yet somehow, no one in the building remembered to write the date on the contract that allowed it to be built.
This, of course, is the same meeting where another question about developer contributions (from another councillor) prompted a response so conveniently selective, it skipped over the very document that first required a $1 million payment from developers. That small omission later turned out to be worth over $970,000 to the community.
If we sound sceptical, it’s because the pattern is hard to ignore.
Time and again, Council appears more invested in managing appearances than managing records. And while councillors squabble, raise eyebrows or ask fair questions, the CEO continues to maintain that everything is under control, except for the parts she can’t quite explain.
The community deserves better than this passive-aggressive pantomime. We’re not asking for Shakespeare. But we do think someone should write down the date.
One week later Cr Draisma found herself in the hot seat
“One week she tables a contract that exposes a governance gap. The next week, someone’s asking if she should be investigated. That’s not accountability. That’s theatre, and the script is older than local government itself.”
It sends a message, whether intended or not: “I have powerful friends. Tread carefully.”
Coming soon: a breakdown of how public access and proper motions can still be used to push for transparency, assuming someone in the room is still paying attention.
Disclaimer: This post reflects publicly available information and personal commentary on governance and community perception. It is not intended to suggest wrongdoing or impugn the integrity of any individual. All views expressed are my own and not those of any organisation.
#KiamaCouncil #LocalGovernment #TransparencyMatters #GovernanceWatch #CommunityAccountability #PublicInterest #Section711 #PlanningReform
That is a watch yourself moment. I like the ministers reply, I have work to do. Imagine having to examine every councils meetings 🙄
Haha yes, “watch yourself” indeed! Classic Ministerial dodge. He got blindsided and did what seasoned politicians do best, sidestepped the substance.
Someone clearly wanted to stir the pot and score a point. The result? A question in Parliament, a not-so-subtle public swipe, and a little glimpse into the uglier side of politics.
Do you think this kind of language and theatre helps or hurts public trust in leadership?
The language and issue management in that way just breeds contempt. Council is not all that well received.
An example of language
https://arr.news/2025/04/23/councillors-comments-create-community-anger/
You’re right. The language we use matters, and so does how those in power respond when something goes wrong. What’s most troubling in these situations is not always the initial misstep, but the silence that follows, the failure to step in, to call it out, or even to acknowledge the impact. It reflects a culture where protecting reputations takes priority over accountability and healing.
I don’t know why it’s so hard to say “sorry, I was wrong, let’s have a cup of tea and chat”
Working in Government departments knowing some of the cover ups and lies told by politicians really rankled me but having to keep my mouth shut or it was my job.
I did get a good talking to more than once 😂
💪