There’s a photo doing the rounds, a paper shredder with a sign that reads “Suggestion Box.” It would be funny if it didn’t feel so familiar.
Because when it comes to Kiama Council’s Housing Strategy, that’s exactly how community consultation feels to many people, invited to speak, only to watch their input disappear.
Since the release of version three of the Housing Strategy, a wave of feedback has landed on councillors’ desks. Policy experts, community advocates, planners, and long-time residents have stepped forward. Some are offering bold ideas, like a Kiama Housing Innovation Team to tap into local knowledge and test new models. Others are raising concerns, that the document still ignores public feedback, lacks affordable housing solutions, and reads more like it was designed to tick state boxes than reflect this community.
But here’s the bigger question,
❓What stops a Council from welcoming innovation?
❓From inviting in the people already doing the work?
❓From trusting the community it serves?
It’s not a lack of expertise, we have that in spades.
It’s not a hostile public, we’re showing up, offering ideas, asking to be involved.
And it’s not the community’s fault that Kiama is only now getting a housing strategy. That should’ve happened 15 years ago.
So, what is it?
In many organisations, fear plays a quiet role. Fear of losing control. Fear of getting it wrong. Fear of opening the door to something that can’t be neatly managed. But the truth is, there is more to gain than there is to fear.
Innovation doesn’t weaken an organisation, it strengthens it.
Collaboration doesn’t dilute leadership, it deepens it.
Kiama is one of the most informed, engaged LGAs in the state. The expertise is here. The ideas are here. The willingness is here.
What’s missing is the invitation.
The solutions aren’t waiting in a future consultant’s report. They’re already here, in our community, in our builders, renters, designers, youth workers, social entrepreneurs, and retirees. They just need to be brought to the table.
This isn’t a call-out, it’s a call in.
Let’s stop shredding the feedback and start building the trust.
#KiamaCouncil #KiamaHousing #HousingStrategy #CommunityVoices
#PlanningReform #LocalLeadership #HousingJustice #CollaborativePlanning
#ListenActBuild #InnovationNotTickBoxes #UrbanDemocracy #InclusiveGrowth