Kiama councillor Mike Cains has announced he will boycott the upcoming Community Cabinet meeting in the town, accusing the state government of holding a metaphorical "gun to our head".
Councillor's stance against state government
Cr Cains, who recently called for the council to amalgamate with Shellharbour, will not attend the May 19 event that brings Premier Chris Minns and ministers to Kiama. He described the decision as one made "out of principle".
"It's bad enough that we have been cornered into making decisions against our own interests," Cr Cains said. "But when something feels more like theatre than listening, turning up starts to feel like playing along."
Two key concerns
The councillor highlighted two major areas of concern: the government-set housing target of 900 new homes by 2029 and Kiama Council's Performance Improvement Order. The order was initially set by the previous Coalition Local Government Minister but has been updated by Labor's Ron Hoenig.
Cr Cains described both as "ultimatums", stating that the council must achieve the housing target in its strategy or face consequences. "Essentially a high-rise on every corner, or sprawling development across our green hills, or else have our planning powers stripped away," he said.
Regarding the Performance Improvement Order, he called its message "blunt": "Balance the books or an administrator will be appointed." He added, "That means they will sack your elected representatives unless you gut community services or sell off public assets."
Call for genuine engagement
Cr Cains said Kiama deserves better than "strong arm tactics". "We deserve genuine engagement, where the community isn't cornered into accepting overdevelopment and austerity," he said. "So out of self-respect I'll be sitting this one out."
Kiama MP Katelin McInerney was contacted for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.
This article was originally published by the Illawarra Mercury and has been rewritten for clarity and length.
