New here? Here’s what you need to know
This blog explores the twists and turns of local democracy in the Kiama local government area. I’m not a councillor. I’m not on staff. I’m a community member and former CIVICS writer for the local newspaper. I care deeply about transparency, proper process and public trust.
Lately, one issue has dominated local headlines and council meetings: whether Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club can secure a long-term lease on public land. What should be a straightforward process has instead sparked confusion, conflict and controversy.
This post is part of a series that unpacks the facts behind the drama. I’m drawing on the expertise of people who have stepped forward to support clearer, more collaborative leadership in our community.
If you are trying to make sense of what is happening and why it matters, you are in the right place.
I am not on the inside. I am not in the workshops or briefing rooms. I do not have access to confidential reports. And too often, neither do councillors.
As the CIVICS writer, I learned how to fact-check, how to read legislation, and how to seek out people with real expertise. Over time, those people started coming to me.
But I am still outside the tent. Which is exactly why I keep writing.
My dealings with Kiama Council have shown me that even elected councillors are not always given the information they need to make informed decisions. When that happens, you get confusion, public frustration, and yet another act in the ongoing drama triangle that’s been playing out for far too long.
So let’s walk back from the noise and revisit the core question.
Can councils lease community land to surf life saving clubs?
✅ Yes, they can. But only if they follow the correct process.
Here’s how it works.
📄 Step 1: Start with the legislation
The power to lease community land comes from Section 46 of the Local Government Act 1993.
Councils can grant leases for specific purposes, including surf life saving clubs, if those purposes are expressly authorised in the Community Plan of Management (CPM).
🔎 Step 2: Check the CPM
Is the reserve’s CPM publicly available? It should be.
If not, ask Council’s property officer for the most up-to-date version.
🟢 If the CPM allows for a lease to a surf life saving club, then Council can proceed to the next steps under Sections 46A, 47 and 47A of the Act.
🔴 If it doesn’t, the CPM needs to be amended. After that, Council can move forward with the leasing process.
🛠️ Key details from the Act:
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A lease of more than 5 years can be granted without going to tender if the tenant is a non-profit organisation, unless the CPM specifically requires a tender.
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A lease (including any renewal options) that extends beyond 21 years needs Ministerial consent.
📚 Useful background reading:
So where does that leave us?
According to one of the experts who contacted me this week 🙏, Council can grant a lease to Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club right now, if it wants to. There is no need to reclassify the land from community to operational.
This is not a legal mystery. The steps are clear. The legislation is available. The expertise exists.
What we need now is transparency, clarity, and leadership.
If councillors do not have the information they need to make these decisions confidently, we have a much bigger problem than a lease.
A note of thanks
To the planners, legal experts, governance professionals and strategic thinkers who have reached out to help clarify the issues, thank you. Your quiet support and willingness to share knowledge shows me what collaborative leadership can look like. Let’s keep building it together.
#KiamaCouncil #Gerringong #SurfClubLeases #LocalGovernment #CommunityLand #GovernanceMatters #NSWPolitics