Love them or loathe them, everyone has an opinion on their local council, and our Municipality is no different.

Local Government Week (4 - 10 August) is our annual opportunity to proudly remind everyone the major role councils play in our everyday lives.

Our residents would know Kiama Council is responsible for local roads, rates and rubbish, but may be less aware of the many other services we provide.

We operate two free local libraries, a visitor centre, leisure centre, youth centre, art gallery, function centre, community halls and meeting rooms.

Click here to view Cameron McDonald's Mayor Update on YouTube

We also provide grants for all manner of major events and community activities, beach patrols in summer, and maintain our many playgrounds, sporting fields, parks and outdoor spaces (yes, including mowing the grass).

We also advocate for the interests of our community in planning matters and other issues that affect local liveability, sustainability, safety and amenity.

The collaboration of Council and our community in developing the new Kiama Local Housing Strategy is a great example of this.

Overall, the 128 councils in NSW play a critical part in the day-to-day lives of eight million people who call the state home by:

• Managing more than $140 billion of community assets – parks, pools and playgrounds; libraries, local festivals and lighting, cemeteries and childcare centres, museums and art galleries.

• Employing nearly 60,000 people across NSW.

• Driving local economies by employing lawyers, labourers and librarians; cleaners, carpenters and carers; electricians, engineers and educators.

• Managing 90 per cent (164,000km) of the state’s local and regional road network.

• Investing more than $2 billion each year caring for the environment via recycling and waste management, stormwater management, and preserving and protecting native flora and fauna.

• Running 450 libraries that attract more than 34.8 million visits each year.

• Managing an estimated 35 million tonnes of waste each year.

So, if you do spot one of our many hard-working council staff during Local Government Week (or any other week for that matter), why not give them a thumbs up at the very least, they deserve it.