Opinion by Lynne Strong As the results of the Kiama council election settle, the message is clear: our community has chosen a path focused on the greater good, not personal agendas or divisive politics. There’s hope that the newly elected councillors will bring much-needed collaboration and integrity to the table.While the councillors have yet to prove themselves, the election marks a shift towards unity, where long-term solutions, innovation, and fiscal responsibility must take priority. As Zora Neale Hurston wrote, “There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” Now, Kiama needs answers.Across Australia, we’ve seen elections where controversial figures, like Andrew Thaler in the Snowy Monaro Region, have gained seats on local councils. Thaler’s campaign tactics leaned on stirring conflict and driving wedges between people, a style that echoes populist politics seen in the US focused more on tearing others down than fostering cooperation.By contrast, Kiama’s councillors were elected on a platform of working together and focusing on what really matters—housing affordability, fiscal responsibility, and infrastructure. Tackling these issues will take a balanced approach, with councillors who listen to different perspectives, engage with the community, and focus on real solutions.This election serves as a reminder that voting matters. Our community has set the tone, but it’s up to us to hold our representatives accountable, ensuring that promises turn into action. By fostering respect and collaboration, we can build a council that represents the best of Kiama.The road ahead won’t be easy, but there’s optimism. Let’s support our councillors as they work to tackle the challenges ahead, and together, ensure Kiama thrives.

Opinion Piece by Lynne StrongAs the dust settles after the recent Kiama council elections, the final results offer some interesting insights into how our voting system works and what it means when candidates are elected without reaching the set quota.Out of the nine successful candidates, three—Matt Brown, Stuart Larkins, and Mike Cains—were elected despite not reaching the quota of 1,460 votes. This might raise questions: How did they get in, and what does this say about our democratic process?Understanding the QuotaIn local council elections, a quota is the number of votes a candidate needs to secure a seat outright. In this case, with 18,000 enrolled voters, the quota was set at 1,460 votes. Six candidates—Cameron McDonald, Imogen Draisma, Melinda Lawton, Yasmin Tatrai, Erica Warren, and Melissa Matters—reached the quota and were elected fairly early in the counting process.However, not all seats are filled by candidates meeting this quota. That’s where the importance of preference voting comes in.The Role of PreferencesCandidates like Matt Brown, Stuart Larkins, and Mike Cains didn’t receive enough first-preference votes to meet the quota. However, they were elected because, by the final rounds of counting, they had the highest number of remaining votes, even though they didn’t reach the quota.In a proportional representation system, as the candidate with the lowest number of votes is excluded in each round, their preferences are redistributed to other continuing candidates. This process continues until either candidates meet the quota or the remaining candidates’ vote totals are high enough that they can no longer be overtaken by others.This highlights the nuanced role of preferences—they can have a significant impact, but only if the margin between candidates is narrow enough for preference flows to make a difference.Understanding Preferences Across Different ElectionsIt appears that many people, including me and those who regularly engage in the political process, do not fully understand how preferences work. It’s important to remember that the way preferences are allocated differs across the three levels of government.At the Federal level (for the House of Representatives), it is compulsory to allocate preferences, meaning a voter must number every single box for their vote to count.At the state and local level, preferences are optional. In the NSW Lower House elections, voters can simply vote "1" and are not required to number additional boxes if they do not wish to.For local council elections, such as Kiama’s, the proportional representation system is used. This system, also applied in the Australian Senate and NSW Upper House, determines the outcome based on quotas and the redistribution of preferences.What Does This Say About the Election?Broad Community Support: Although these candidates didn’t reach the quota through first-preference votes, their election reflects broad support across the community. Voters might have chosen them as their second or third option, showing that they were seen as viable representatives, even if they weren’t the top choice for many.Fragmented Voting Patterns: The fact that three candidates were elected without reaching the quota suggests that voting was spread across many candidates. With so many individuals and groups running, voters likely had diverse views, leading to a fragmented first-preference vote. This fragmentation creates an opportunity for candidates to win seats through preference flows.Preference Allocations Can Be Critical: In some cases, like the 2021 election, every preference allocation made a difference to the final positions when candidates didn’t make quota. However, in 2024, the primary votes were more spread apart, meaning that while preferences played a role in determining the final order, the primary vote totals were decisive.It Is the Voter Who Determines Their Preferences: A crucial point to emphasise is that voters control their preferences. How voters choose to rank candidates—whether they stop at their first choice or continue ranking additional preferences—has a direct impact on the election’s outcome. Voters ultimately decide how their preferences will flow if their first-choice candidate is excluded.The Takeaway for Future ElectionsThe Kiama election is a powerful reminder of the importance of preference voting. It shows that elections aren’t just about the most popular candidates but about how the community as a whole distributes their votes. The candidates who understand the importance of preferences—and who engage with a wide range of voters—are the ones who stand the best chance of success.As we look ahead to future elections, it’s clear that preference voting can lead to more diverse representation. By giving weight to lower-preference votes, the system ensures that different voices and perspectives can still find their place on the council.For Kiama voters, this election serves as a call to action: don’t underestimate the power of your second and third preferences. They can make all the difference in shaping the future of our council.

Kiama has spoken. The NSW Electoral commission has confirmed the results of the 14 September local government elections. Kiama’s nine councillors are: Cameron McDonald, Erica Warren and Melissa Matters (from Independent Group A), Matt Brown (Independent), Imogen Draisma and Stuart Larkins from Labor, Melinda Lawton (Greens), Mike Cains (Independent) and Yasmin Tatrai (Independent).That means that only three from the former group of Councillors have been retained, and there are six new members. Kiama voters have spoken loudly to elect a very different group of councillors for the four-year term, and there seems to be a bias towards Independents and people with solid business experience.  Labor councillors Draisma and Larkins have already come out with a statement: “We want to thank the community for allowing us the opportunity to represent them on the council, and the hardworking volunteers and members who have backed us all the way.”Newly elected councillor Mike Cains said, "It's a great honour and a privilege to be elected. We ran a short sharp policy rich campaign and have been rewarded by the community," adding, "I have said many times that I can't wait to roll up my sleeves and represent our community diligently, sensibly and thoughtfully. To everyone who supported us, I can't thank them enough."As of 2:51 PM this afternoon, there is a 24-hour period for anyone to object and request a recount. The councillors will be officially sworn in by the CEO, Jane Stroud, at the first council meeting on Tuesday, 8 October. This meeting will also see the new council members voting for a Mayor and Deputy Mayor.Regarding the constitutional referendum on changing to a direct (popular) election for the Mayor, the decision was closely contested, but Kiama chose no with 54.67% of votes.Cameron McDonaldErica WarrenMelissa MattersMatt BrownImogen DraismaStuart LarkinsMelissa LawtonMike Cains Yasmin Tatrai

In the age of big data, personal information has become a valuable currency. This is an issue that should concern us all, especially as we face growing challenges around privacy, trust, and the use of our data.Recent discussions around political robo-calls have highlighted how easily personal information can be accessed and misused.This intrusion into our lives is not just annoying – it can be deeply distressing, especially for vulnerable members of the community. It leaves many of us questioning: How did these people get my phone number in the first place?According to a recent investigation in The Conversation, data brokers are companies that collect, buy, and sell our personal information without our explicit consent.Australians lost a staggering $2.7 billion to scams in 2023 alone, much of it due to personal data being misused.The reality is that personal details – from your name and phone number to much more sensitive information – are being shared between brokers, telemarketers, and political campaigns without proper oversight.What’s more troubling is that many data brokers get their information from the institutions we trust the most: utility companies, real estate agencies, and even government departments.Once your data is shared, it’s nearly impossible to stop it from being sold or used again – and sometimes that data makes its way to overseas telemarketers, who aren’t bound by Australian privacy laws.While the recent push to ban how-to-vote cards near polling booths is a positive step in modernising electoral processes, political robo-calls remain a powerful and intrusive tool.Many Australians have received unsolicited political calls – often targeting them based on data that was collected and shared without their knowledge. It’s not just frustrating; it can be frightening, especially for people who believe their personal information is secure.Our local MP, Gareth Ward, has acknowledged the importance of this issue and has offered to take the matter forward to the Joint Standing Committees on Electoral Matters at both the state and federal levels.This is a crucial step in addressing the misuse of personal data for political purposes and pushing for stronger privacy protections.It’s crucial that we, as a community, demand greater transparency and accountability in how our personal data is used.The Australian government recently introduced privacy reforms, but they don’t go far enough in protecting us from the pervasive reach of data brokers and telemarketers.Until data brokers are required to obtain explicit consent before sharing our personal details, our privacy remains at risk.Other leaders like Gareth Ward need to take this issue forward.By working together, we can ensure our community's voices are heard and our privacy is respected.Now is the time to take a stand and demand that our data is used responsibly, not as a tool for exploitation.

Opinion:In 1988 the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Program established the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). For over three decades IPCC Assessments have been saying the main drivers of climate change are population growth and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita growth.In 2007 the science reached ‘unequivocal’ status. In 2007 both major Australian political parties (ALP and LNP) went to the federal election with climate-change policies based on a price mechanism. Most economists and policy experts agree that a price mechanism is the most efficient and effective way to drive the massive changes required across free-market world economies to combat climate change. Following political argy bargy on both sides of Australian politics, it took until 1 July 2012 to legislate and establish a carbon-price mechanism on selected carbon emissions. The scheme was short-lived, lasting until July 2014 when the then LNP government repealed the enabling legislation. Neither the ALP nor LNP have canvassed an economy-wide price mechanism since.Flash forward a decade to 2024. The damaging impacts of climate change are obvious to all except the most ardent denialists. Barely a month goes by without a major credible scientific report showing the planet is veering towards the worst of the IPCC range of projections. The 1.5 degree target is now history with risk well on the way to ‘existential’ status. Australia is the world’s third-largest fossil-fuel exporter. Australians have the highest CO2 emissions per capita of the ‘developed’ nations. Our federal government is fixated on both massive population growth and absolute economic growth, including expanding coal and gas exports. Of the developed nations our ecological footprint per capita is among the highest (worst) and projected to stay that way for the next 30 years. Australia is the only developed country on the global list of deforestation hotspots, first in the world for mammal extinction, and second for biodiversity loss. The major drivers are the usual suspects – population and economic growths. The next Australia State of the Environment report is scheduled for 2026 and the NSW equivalent is due this year.Think global, act local and zoom in on the recent Kiama local government election. Not one candidate made the link between population and economic growths and climate change. Apart from fiscal prudence and collegiality, the dominant themes were economic growth and the embrace of population growth targets – targets imposed by a compliant state government reacting to a federal government high-population-growth policy not mentioned at the last federal election. Any federal opposition was and is at the margins, typically ignoring demand management and focusing on the supply side [e.g the housing debate].The Greens stopped talking about population limits years ago. Yet this high-population growth policy is opposed by a clear majority of Australians, as shown in every reputable robust opinion poll with a neutral question on population growth. Go figure.Many Kiama LGA candidates were/are compromised by political party membership [whether explicitly stated or not] and are conflicted by the federal and state policies of their party. Take your pick: coal, gas, nuclear, record population growth, addiction to GDP growth, all solutions sourced from the supply side … on the road to nowhere but short-term self-interest. Others are members of pro-growth organisations or groups.Many claimed “sustainable environment” without further detail or explaining how this was possible within the confines of their party’s policies or organisation’s objectives. With the composition of the new Council known, Council will resume finalising its 20 year Kiama Growth and Housing Strategy based on “expected” growth to “over 31,000 people by 2044 (or by 33%), with a projected 3,456 new dwellings required (REMPLAN, 2023) to meet current projected demand.” There’s no serious engagement with intergenerational equity or the type of environment being passed on to the children and grandchildren who are too young to vote.

Member for Kiama, Gareth Ward moved a motion in Parliament on Tuesday 17 September to ban the distribution of electoral material within one kilometre of a polling booth.Under the motion, how-to-vote cards handed out at pre-polling and polling day will be prohibited. “People aren’t stupid, and most people have made up their mind by the time they arrive at a polling booth”, Ward says. How-to-vote cards display suggestions in relation to the casting of votes and are given to voters during pre-polling and election day to promote a particular candidate.At the recent election, candidate volunteers urged passers-by to bring the cards back to be recycled for the next day. Ward says the environmental detriment that single-use cards have can be avoided through digitisation of campaign material. “How-to-vote material can easily be distributed electronically and how-to-vote material could be on display inside each polling booth…Think of the trees we’d save.”Leading up to the local election, the town was plastered with a sea of event signage on corrugated plastic material made from polypropylene, or corflutes, that usually display a candidate’s headshot and slogan. Corflute signage contaminates mixed recycling bins and does not break down in landfill, according to Monash University. “Given that other jurisdictions have done the same without challenge, I don’t envisage any constitutional issues given that this isn’t a case of limiting speech but regulating an electoral process,” Ward says. 

By Donna Portland & Lynne StrongCampaign signs are inevitable in any election and one can drive around the LGA to see them dotting the kerbsides during election times. While some candidates opt for small corflutes that are nearly impossible to read, a few colour choices stand out: vibrant shades of orange, red, and green.Marketing experts will tell you that there is a strong correlation between colour and brand recognition, especially in political campaigns. Colour acts as a visual shortcut, helping voters identify a party or group before even reading the text. Research in both marketing and psychology suggests that colours are powerful tools for triggering recognition, association, and emotion.The possible impact of colour on campaigns in our LGA’s latest electionGroup A’s orange:Orange is a vibrant and energetic colour, often associated with enthusiasm, innovation, and action. Its warm tone can create feelings of friendliness and approachability, which appeals to voters looking for community-minded candidates. Group A's choice of orange may convey the energy and forward-thinking mentality they want to project.Labor’s red:Red is traditionally linked with strength, passion, and urgency. It's a bold and powerful colour, perfectly aligning with Labor’s advocacy for workers’ rights and social justice. Red’s intensity suggests a commitment to decisive, bold action – qualities that Labour hopes to project to voters.The Greens’ green:Unsurprisingly, green is a clear nod to environmentalism and sustainability. The colour immediately signals The Greens’ core focus on ecological preservation and a connection to nature. Green's soothing, natural associations perfectly align with their policy platform and appeal to environmentally conscious voters.Why does colour recognition work?Speed of recognition: Colours are processed by the brain faster than words, enabling quick identification of campaign materials even when passing by a sign at speed.Emotional impact: Each colour carries its own emotional weight. Red, for instance, evokes urgency and passion, while green suggests calmness and environmental awareness. This emotional trigger is crucial in influencing how voters feel about candidates.Consistency across materials: By maintaining consistent colour use across all campaign materials—banners, leaflets, and digital ads—a campaign strengthens voter recognition and builds trust. The repeated exposure to these colours helps voters quickly associate them with specific parties or candidates.In political campaigns, a carefully chosen colour, paired with a clear message, can have a significant effect on voters' ability to remember and identify with a party or candidate.Beyond colours, familiarity plays an essential role in earning voter confidence. Voters are naturally drawn to candidates they know and trust. Group A’s candidates - Cameron, Erica, Melissa, and Mark - are not just names on a ballot; they are long-standing members of the Kiama community. Their active involvement in local initiatives showcases their commitment to the region's growth and well-being.These candidates have built trust over the years by focusing on balancing the budget, supporting local businesses, and promoting sensible development. These practical, down-to-earth policies resonate with voters who want to preserve Kiama’s unique character while ensuring it thrives economically.Group A’s success in the election isn't just about strong policy positions - it’s about the trust and connection they’ve cultivated with the community. Their balance of business acumen and community service has clearly struck a chord with Kiama’s voters, making them trusted leaders in the area.Become a Good Neighbour Support your local by giving great journalism a helping hand

The Kiama LGA headed to the polls on Saturday, 14 September, to elect nine councillors to the local government. Voters also participated in a referendum on whether the mayor should be directly elected in future elections.Preliminary results indicate strong support for independent candidates. Group A, led by Cameron McDonald, secured 35.92% of the primary vote, making it highly likely that McDonald, Erica Warren, Melissa Matters, and potentially Mark Burns will earn seats on the council - a notable achievement.Labor, led by Imogen Draisma, received the second-highest share of the vote at 16.08%, followed by the Greens, headed by Melinda Lawton, at 15.55%. While both Draisma and Lawton are expected to become councillors, it's uncertain whether their respective second candidates will join them. It may be a toss-up between a fourth member of Cameron McDonald's team, or a second from Labor or the Greens - it is too close to call at this stage. Independent Yasmin Tatrai of Group G garnered 10.55% of the vote, ensuring her a seat on the council.Despite polling under 10%, independent candidates Matt Brown (Group C) and Mike Cains (Group F) are still in contention for council seats, with postal votes and preferences yet to be fully counted.Conversely, it appears unlikely that Alan Smith or Mark Croxford will secure a position on the council, having fallen short in primary votes. At this early stage, with only 2,163 votes counted, the outcome of the referendum, seems to be heading towards "No" with a 55.76% lead, against 44.24% for Yes. It is too soon for a definitive call however. Once the NSW Electoral Commission finalises the vote tally, The Bugle will deliver the official results.

Member for Kiama Gareth Ward has released a statement the day before the local government election criticising incumbent Labor councillors and the Greens party.Gareth Ward recently announced his collaboration with Yasmin Tatrai with a petition for the return to taxi services in Kiama. Tatrai is running as an independent after striking out her Liberal affiliation on her candidate form, according to the Illawarra Mercury.Ward has called out Labor councillors for their ‘no paid parking’ campaigning when minutes of a Kiama Council meeting revealed that Councillor Imogen Draisma voted for a working group to investigate paid parking within the Kiama region.“If I was against something, I wouldn’t be looking into it. I would oppose it… You just can’t trust Labor,” Ward says.Ward has urged his constituents to vote for independent parties and avoid casting a vote on candidates in the Greens or Labor parties.“We need more local champions not political hacks that simply respond like robots to party directives.”“You only need [to] look at the mess that the Greens and Labor have left in Shoalhaven. 44% rate increase proposals, millions wasted on failed projects, grants returned to government unspent, DAs later than ever, staffing blow outs, service cuts and constant infighting,” Ward continued.None of the candidates are running under the Liberal banner this upcoming election. Mark Croxford and Mike Cains did state their party affiliation as Liberals, but are both running under their own team names, Your Community Candidates and A Fresh Start Kiama, respectively.Election day is today and the polls are open between 8am - 6pm. Find out more about where you can vote.

The Bugle has offered all the candidates a final blog to let the local community know what they stand for. Here are Yasmin Tatrai’s comments - Group G.My local team is comprised of six dedicated people with energy and experience. We are the only team with a real plan and clear priorities for our council. We will fix the budget, keep rates low, support balanced and sustainable development like the Bombo quarry project and we will stand up against the Labor/Green proposal for offshore wind farms on our coast. We want to work with Gareth Ward and all levels of government to get things done for our community. Throughout this campaign, I have had the privilege of meeting people from across our beautiful community who love where we live, but they feel that Council has lost its way. I strongly agree. I am determined to bring my small business and government experience to the chamber to ensure our council and community can be the very best we can be. My team is comprised of people with small business, professional, finance and arts backgrounds who are the essence and flavour of what our community needs to get our council back on track. The next four years won’t be easy – but we are ready to take on the challenge. We also encourage you to vote NO to Labor’s referendum question. A directly elected Mayor means we are stuck with that person for four years – good or bad. A Mayor elected by Councillors means your elected leaders can hold the mayor to account on your behalf.  Vote 1 Group G. Energy and Experience. Become a Good Neighbour Support your local by giving great journalism a helping hand

The Bugle has offered all the candidates a final blog to let the local community know what they stand for. Here are Melinda Lawton's comments from Group E THE GREENS: Standing up for What MattersVOTE 1 Group E The Greens – Lead Candidate Melinda LawtonThere are five key priorities established by The Greens to ensure positive and active contribution for the Kiama LGA community over the next 4 years.1. Re-engaging with CommunityWe need to re-establish a strong connection between council and community. As elected councillors, it's essential that we listen to your voices. The Greens advocate for the establishment of community consultative bodies that focus on specific areas of our community, addressing the unique issues, needs, and potential for improvement. By tapping into local expertise, we can make informed decisions that reflect the true interests of our residents.2. Protect Community AssetsThe recent performance improvement order is a priority, it's crucial that we address the PIO in ways that avoid a simple sell-off of community assets and income-producing services that have been built over generations. We will explore ways to re-energise rather than privatise. Managing our assets in a financially responsible, and socially meaningful way is key to maintaining our community's strength and integrity.3. Sustainable Housing and InfrastructureGrowth must be balanced with the necessary infrastructure to support it. We need to carefully consider the impact of housing developments, particularly those that extend into high-quality farmland or scenic landscapes.4. Protecting the Environment and Cultural HeritagePlanning decisions should never compromise the biodiversity and agricultural landscapes that make our area unique. We need to increase Council’s management of our natural areas, including Jones Beach, Seven Mile Beach, Jerrara Dam and land reserves.5. Promoting Cooperation within Council.The Greens will work with elected councillors to promote a culture of cooperation, increase trust and transparency, with consistent, professional, and accountable council processes. I will propose a Councillor Charter, to be discussed and agreed upon by all elected councillors, to guide our decision-making processes. This charter will ensure that we prioritise what is best for the community. I will be at the Uniting Church Kiama for the majority of the day, please feel free to come and have a chat on your way through to voting.Become a Good Neighbour Support your local by giving great journalism a helping hand

The Bugle has offered all the candidates a final blog to let the local community know what they stand for. Here are Matt Brown's comments from Group C.The Matt Brown and Danielle Steel team is your Sensible Choice. We provide a good combination of experience and energy to "get the balance right".Councillors need to work better together. We are constructive and respectful and will make sure the interests of the whole community are heard and factored into Council decisions.Our community needs to be "strong and vibrant" as well as being "secure and sustainable". Our raft of policies range from improving the finances to supporting local jobs and businesses to providing better community, sporting, and cultural facilities. Get to know us better and have a look at “what we stand for”. Your sensible choice will then be to Vote 1 Group C.Become a Good Neighbour Support your local by giving great journalism a helping hand

The Bugle has offered all the candidates a final blog to let the local community know what they stand for. First cab off the rank is Mike Cains, Group F. Mike Cains wants to secure Kiama's futureTime and again our community misses out on the opportunity for new and upgraded facilities and infrastructure because we don’t have our act together in relation to state and federal funding. We deserve to have the facilities that a growing community needs for its future - but it requires planning and advocacy. It is an obvious truth that most councils don’t have the money to use ratepayer’s funds on big capital works – so we, like others, require state and federal funds in the form of grants to deliver critical projects. It is acknowledged that the best way to achieve this is to develop a list of shovel-ready projects ready for grant submissions if and when State and federal funds become available. By shovel ready we mean where the approvals have been granted, the engineering plans done, the costings analysed and the machines are ready to roll. Such a plan means being pro-active, not reactive. Some councils call this an “Advocacy Plan.” Whilst Shellharbour has a glossy well prepared 31-page advocacy plan, Kiama has a bunch of resolutions with dot points. Whilst Shellharbour is ready to be Johnny-on-the-spot, at the front of queue, hand out ready to pounce on inter-governmental grants we often scramble to respond. An Advocacy Plan is crucial for project delivery across the Kiama Municipality. The projects within our proposed Kiama “Advocacy Plan” would support the Municipality’s Community Strategic Plan (CSP), and supports our aims to address community, cultural, environmental and economic challenges. The projects will be delivered through funding contributions from Council, Federal and State Governments and only where appropriate the private sector. If we are organised, prepared and strategic we can deliver for the community without using our own cash so often. Think about some possibilities - a Dido St bridge upgrade, a new permanent home for the Jamberoo Pre-School with a fit-for-purpose facility, a foot-bridge from Bombo station across the highway to accommodate expansion of housing at Spring Creek and into the future Bombo Quarry, urgent upgrades to our regions sporting facilities, advance the revitalisation of the Harbour Precinct, finish and upgrade the coastal walk so that residents and visitors can walk between the mouth of the Minnamurra River to Shoalhaven heads, invest in renewable energy generation to bring our power bills down, tackle the ever-expanding proliferation of privet and lantana, urgent renovation and rectification works to Bluehaven Terralong and the upgrade the Havilah place sports precinct just to name just a few. I have been careful not to make promises during my campaign, but I will make this one. If elected, with the support of fellow councillors, I will ensure that we have a serviceable Advocacy Plan that develops and delivers critical projects. A professional plan that improves the liveability of our towns and villages, supports job growth and economic development whilst also promotes sustainable lifestyles.Become a Good Neighbour Support your local by giving great journalism a helping hand

One of our community members reached out this week and asked if we could provide a table outlining each group’s focus areas and their methods for achieving these goals. The table below is based on information the candidates supplied to The Bugle.Kiama Community Radio interviewed each of the team leaders. For more information you can access their podcasts here.Words like sustainability can mean different things to community members.Sustainability refers to the practice of meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It encompasses three interconnected pillars: environmental protection, social equity, and economic viability. Sustainable practices aim to preserve natural resources, promote fairness and well being within communities, and foster long term economic resilience, ensuring that all systems—natural, social, and economic—can coexist and thrive indefinitely.Sustainability is also a concept that takes on various meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Here are several definitions that highlight its different dimensions:Environmental Sustainability: This is perhaps the most commonly recognised definition. It refers to the responsible interaction with the environment to avoid depletion or degradation of natural resources, ensuring long term ecological balance. It involves practices that reduce the carbon footprint, protect biodiversity, and maintain clean air, water, and soil.Economic Sustainability: This focuses on practices that support long term economic growth without negatively impacting social, environmental, or cultural aspects. It involves balancing profit with sustainable business practices and ensuring that economic activities do not deplete resources over time.Social Sustainability: This emphasises the importance of creating sustainable, equitable communities. It focuses on improving quality of life, promoting social equity, and ensuring fair distribution of resources and opportunities across different segments of society.Cultural Sustainability: In some cases, sustainability also refers to the preservation of cultural heritage and traditions. This can mean maintaining the cultural diversity of communities while adapting to modern challenges without losing identity or traditional knowledge.Corporate Sustainability: For businesses, sustainability refers to balancing economic success with environmental stewardship and social responsibility. It involves adopting business strategies that ensure long term growth without negatively impacting society or the planet.Sustainable Development: As above is a broad term that combines environmental, economic, and social aspects of sustainability.Each of these definitions underscores the interconnectivity of sustainability in different aspects of life, from global environmental challenges to local economic practices. Sustainability, in all its forms, encourages a balance between meeting current needs and preserving resources, ecosystems, and social structures for future generations.

This is my opinion. I write opinion pieces for The Bugle, and this piece does not necessarily represent the views of The Bugle.I believe the Greens in our region have been unfairly treated in the election commentary by some of the candidates and the social media keyboard warriors. In this op-ed, I want to highlight why I believe they play in important role in our community. While they weren’t my first choice on the voting ticket, they ranked highly because of their commitment to preserving our unique identity. Our region values responsible development, and it’s the Greens who will ensure long-lasting, well-thought-out approaches that stand the test of time, and this ethos should at forefront of every councillor’s decisions.The Greens' push for legally binding Voluntary Planning Agreements (VPAs) ensures developers follow through on their promises, safeguarding our environment and aligning projects with our community's long-term goals. Yes, their focus is on the environment, but this is precisely why they are so important.In a time when growth is necessary, the Greens are crucial in balancing development with the need to preserve what makes our region special. They offer a dedicated voice for responsible growth and transparency—something we should all support as we look to the future.

While some candidates have been granted access to community phone numbers, others have been left in the dark. But how do these candidates feel about the potential misuse of private information for political gain? We reached out to several independent and opposing candidates to get their thoughts. Independent candidates expressed frustration over the lack of access to similar resources, citing concerns over the fairness of the election. "If one party can target voters directly while others can't, it creates an imbalance," said one candidate, who wished to remain anonymous. "It calls into question the integrity of the process." Another candidate running on a community-focused platform said, "I have never been comfortable using personal information without consent. Elections should be about honest engagement, not manipulating people's trust by exploiting their private details." Many candidates are now pushing for an investigation into how the data was acquired and used. Some have called for clearer guidelines around data usage in local elections, while others believe the community should have the right to opt out of political communications altogether. Residents are also reacting, with some expressing concern that their phone numbers were used for political messaging without their explicit consent. As we head closer to election day, these are the issues that demand attention. It’s essential for all candidates to have their say and for the community to understand the broader implications of data privacy and political outreach in local campaigns.

Remember to vote this SaturdayKiama Council reminds our residents and ratepayers to make sure they vote in the council elections this Saturday (14 September).Our municipality has eight (8) polling places available for you to cast your vote between 8am and 6pm:Gerringong Town Hall - 106 Fern Street, GerringongGerroa Neighbourhood Centre - 37 Stafford Street, GerroaJamberoo Public School - 29 Churchill Street, Jamberoo - Jamberoo will also have a stall selling homemade crafts, sweets, jams and pickles! Kiama High School - Shoalhaven Street, KiamaKiama Uniting Church - 48 Manning Street, KiamaMinnamurra Public School - 85 Charles Avenue, MinnamurraNorth Kiama Neighbourhood Centre - Meehan Drive, Kiama DownsWerri Beach Progress Hall - Pacific Avenue, Werri BeachLocal voters will be asked to select their preferred candidates for our nine (9) councillors.You will also be asked to vote in our referendum on changing how the Mayor is selected.The Mayor is currently elected every two (2) years by the nine (9) Councillors.The referendum question is:Do you want to change to the direct (popular) election of the Mayor by the voters of the Kiama Municipality, for a four (4) year term, with the number of Councillors (including the Mayor) remaining at nine (9)?Voters simply have to write ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.Any change would come into force at the next council elections in 2028.Voting in council elections, like federal and state elections, is compulsory.Further information:2024 NSW Local Government elections

This 1977 voting leaflet from Margaret Atkinson is a testament to the power of women in local politics. At a time when female representation on councils was scarce, Margaret stood as a candidate to represent women’s views, proudly independent of political parties and group affiliations. She championed balanced representation and active community participation in local governance, highlighting her roles as a mother, a worker, and a volunteer.It’s disheartening to reflect on how far we still have to go. Despite trailblazers like Margaret, women on the previous council—75% of them—faced despicable treatment, which has clearly discouraged many from putting their hand up again for public office. This treatment has undeniably impacted women's confidence in standing for council positions, an issue that needs addressing urgently.Margaret’s story should inspire women in our electorate to step forward once again, to claim their place at the table, and to ensure that the values she stood for—fair representation, community involvement, and a commitment to service—are not lost in the noise of modern-day politics. If we don’t take action to support and encourage women in leadership, we risk silencing the very voices that push for equity and progress in our community.

As local elections draw near, a critical question has emerged about the use of community telephone numbers by candidates affiliated with a particular political party. Concerns have been raised regarding how these phone numbers were obtained, the ethics of their usage, and what this means for privacy in an age where data protection is more important than ever. Local residents have turned to social media to voice their concerns after being contacted.  The first question we need to ask is: How did these candidates gain access to these numbers? It is essential for transparency that candidates disclose whether these phone numbers were acquired legally through public channels, purchased from data brokers, or accessed through less transparent means. Moreover, it is worth questioning if other parties or independent candidates have access to this data or if this is a privileged advantage. Using personal data such as phone numbers for campaign purposes raises serious ethical concerns, particularly in small communities where privacy is highly valued. Local residents have voiced their discomfort, with some questioning the lack of consent in sharing their personal details for political outreach. In an era when data privacy is paramount, candidates must answer whether this kind of targeted outreach is ethical or crosses a line. The practice of contacting voters directly through unsolicited calls is not only an issue of privacy but also a question of fairness. If one party has an advantage in accessing this data, it creates an uneven playing field. The implications for democratic fairness should not be ignored, as elections are meant to provide all candidates with equal opportunities to connect with the community. It’s time we asked the hard questions about the ethics of this practice, the origins of these phone lists, and whether the people whose numbers have been used gave their consent. Our community deserves answers before casting their votes.