Kiama Matters Inc
Meeting Held 31st March 2026
Meeting Commenced 6.30pm
Attendees: 35 attendees as per separate record
Apologies: 20 as per separate record
Chair: Janet Peters
Welcome and Introduction
Janet Peters welcomed all attendees and gave the acknowledgement to the custodians of the land being the Wodi Wodi people.
Members asked for any comments from the minutes of the AGM held 26 November 2025. Motion moved to accept the minutes
Moved: David Stevenson
Second: Julie MacKenzie Motion Carried
Janet advised that the Guest Speaker from Kiama Council was unable to attend and present on the upcoming Waste Collection changes. However, a commitment has been
given to attend the next meeting.
Kiama’s state representative, Katelin McInerney, will be providing an update later in the meeting.
Item 1. Housing & Development Survey Results
Lenore Pennington described the process in assessing survey results and which data is pertinent as valid information for future use. Lenore also explained that the
percentages are a total of “satisfied” and “very satisfied”.
Questions from the Floor:
1/. Is there a precedent for restrictions on the number of apartments for short term rentals?
A/ In new developments, 10% in a block must meet affordable housing criteria. These are not necessarily the same size/value/quality as others in a new development. They are only deemed affordable for 15years and then they are returned to the public for sale.
2/. How many responded to the Survey?
A/ Over 150
3/. Given the age group present tonight, what was the age spread of the those who responded to the survey?
A/ About 35 and above
4/. Could we have a description on the website about affordable housing as it doesn’t necessarily allow people to buy rather than rent?
A/ Yes, we can put information on this on the website.
5/. What weight does the results have and what can we do with it?
A/ It is a good sample of data that we can talk to politicians and decision makers
6/. What do we write to Paul Scully about?
A/ We still have the Council Depot proposal and other developments.
Member suggestion – Be critical of the Land and Environment Process which is only supporting developers and not the community.
Member suggestion – 39% do want apartments which suggests 61% don’t want them. If that is the case, then maybe that could be included in the letter to Paul Scully.
Item 2. Transport Working Group
Graham Spooner presented an update on transport issues since the AGM in November 2025. Topics covered were:
· Point to Point Transport options
· E-Micromobility proposed changes & reviews being conducted at state level including age limits & enforcement regulations.
· Shoalhaven/Illawarra Regional Integrated Transport Plan (Draft)
Ros Neilsen advised that Jamberoo Valley Residents Association conducted a survey regarding transport needs as the cycleway does not extend past Browns Lane and the school bus run is the only public transport option. She has asked if the two organisations can work together at a local level to undertake action to make improvements locally. Perhaps meet with the Mayor.
Alan Woodward also recommended that the working group concentrate on local issues rather than the outcomes of the State Plan. Focus on what we can do within our area with solutions such as replacement of diesel with electric and driverless transport options.
Item 3: Kiama Harbour Revitalisation Working Group
Kel Dummett outlined his background and experience at local council level (Sydney) and that he nominated for Kiama Council’s Harbour Revitalisation Working Group.
There has been no framework or action plan since the Nov 2021 action plan of which the only work completed was the sea wall at Black Beach completed in April 2023.
Kiama Matters will formally support Kel’s nomination and has invited him to lead a working group on behalf of Kiama Matters, which he has accepted. Due to the multiple parties & stakeholders currently involved in the Harbour area, it is hoped that members and residents will become involved with the working group. Kel asked for representatives interested in joining the group to which Lenore Pennington responded. Members were also advised that they could email Kiama Matters at any time.
Councillor Lawton was asked if there was an update on where the Council working group nomination process was up to. Councillor Lawton is happy to follow that up and advise us in due course.
Item 4: Short Term Rental Accommodation
John Greer presented statistics on the level of short – term rentals such as Air BnB in the Kiama LGA and discussed the impact of this on housing supply. Key Points:
· 223-906 active of which 240 are geared towards families
· Average occupancy is approx. 48%
· We are a tourism town and we expect a higher than average level of short term rentals
· As at April 2025 6% of Kiama’s housing are registered as short term rentals. State average is 1%. Shoalhaven is 3.5%. Wollongong & Shellharbour is about 1-2%
· New housing development will potentially increase stock but how much will be short term rentals
Discussion Points
· What is Kiama Council’s view?
· Should we have a cap?
· Where is the consultation with Kiama Community?
· Do you think this is an issue for Kiama Matters to pursue?
John is happy to take the lead and form a group. Please email kiamamatters@gmail.com if you would like this issue to be taken up and also advise if you would like to be involved.
Item 5: Other Business
· Housing Forum
Two KMI committee members namely, Lenore Pennington and Julie MacKenzie, attended the forum held on 27th March. Lenore provided a valuable overview of the key information such as:
§ Shortage of rental accommodation in the Shoalhaven due to switching of long - term rentals to short term
§ Same tax concessions apply to both types of rentals and together with higher income derived from renting properties on a short term, the incentive to switch is attractive
§ 1400 Building Companies collapse in 2025.
§ Impact of Immigration on holders particularly with 2.9million temporary visa holders
§ Australia has the highest percentage of foreign students in the world
· Update – Katelin McInerney
§ Katelin advised that Paul Scully, Minister for Planning and Public Spaces has agreed to attend a Town Hall Meeting later in the year after major infrastructure projects have progressed
§ Bombo Sewerage Plant Odor Reductions work has been undertaken. Water Minister has been pushing for improvement and to have Kiama included in the servicing plan. Katelin announced that Sydney Water has provided guarantees to deal with the needs of the Kiama LGA this year.
§ Katelin will be meeting Level 33 Head of Development in two weeks time with an emphasis on parking and impacts on businesses once Akuna St developments commence. There is an online petition on Katelin’s FaceBook page as well as one at her office in Terralong Street for residents to sign and provide feedback.
· Future Meetings
Kiama Matters will publish dates on future meetings on its website. The plan is to hold these quarterly – end of May, August & November.
Meeting closed 8.15pm
Dear Kiama Matters members and friends,
Kiama Matters Other News
Positions Vacant!
Kiama Matters is now well underway with a large, energetic and capable group running the operations.
We are now at the stage where we are building our working groups, sourcing information, and building our connections in the community.
To really consolidate, we are looking for like- minded people in the community to focus on building our own resources. So if you have some skills in fundraising, or some interest in our work and want to join our working groups, please get in touch at kiamamatters@gmail.com
Kiama Matter Annual Subscription
To keep Kiama Matters running—covering essentials like our website and insurance—we need to introduce a small membership fee: $25 per individual or $40 per household each year. While there’s no obligation to join, being a paid-up member means that if you’d like KM’s backing on an issue you care about, we’ll be able to support you. We’ll also have a donation box at meetings if that’s more your style. Memberships (and donations!) can be taken at Tuesday’s meeting.