In Kiama, we pride ourselves on being engaged, fair-minded, and not afraid to speak up when something feels wrong. So when members of this community take the time to submit formal complaints to Council -backed by evidence, dates, and clear requests for action – it’s not done lightly.
It comes from a belief that our local democracy still matters. And that someone, somewhere inside the system, will listen. to put their concerns in writing, cite documents, ask for a review – there’s a basic expectation: that someone, somewhere, will respond.
A simple acknowledgement.
A record of receipt.
A sign that the system is functioning.
But that didn’t happen here.
I submitted a formal complaint to Kiama Council about the handling of the ICAC referral. So did others. We raised questions about process, timing, and accountability. We asked for a review.
The response? Silence.
Not even a note from the Public Officer to confirm the request had been received. No response from the CEO. No indication that the concerns were being treated with the seriousness they deserve.
And this is what makes people give up. Not disagreement. Not debate. But the sense that no one is listening.
So let me say this clearly:
We are listening to each other.
We are keeping records.
We are not going away.
The community sets the standard.
We expect better.
We expect that when three councillors are referred to an anti-corruption body and then cleared, someone in Council will have the decency to correct the record — not leave a misleading notice online for months, casting doubt long after the facts are known.
We expect that formal requests will be logged, replied to, and dealt with transparently – not ignored.
And we expect that those tasked with upholding the integrity of the system will do more than protect it when convenient. They will protect it when it’s hard. When it’s messy. When it means holding powerful people to account.
The question is not whether councillors or community members are brave enough to raise these issues.
We already have.
The question is whether Council is willing to deal with the answers.
#KiamaCouncil #LocalDemocracy #CouncilAccountability #ICACReferral #GovernanceMatters #CommunityVoice #TransparencyNow #PublicTrust #LeadershipStandards #CivicEngagement
