NSW Premier Chris Minns has admitted his government needs to do more for small and medium-sized businesses while addressing local business leaders at The Pavilion in Kiama on Monday.

Minns made his fourth visit to the Kiama electorate in the past 11 days to lend his support to Labor candidate Katelin McInerney’s campaign to win the vacant state seat at the 13 September by-election.

Along with Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, he spoke to a large group of Business Illawarra members on a range of topics.

“I come to these meetings with a little bit of reticence, particularly in the middle of the by-election, because I can see some people's eyes rolling and saying, well, the election's on, so you're down here, which is a natural human response,” before adding that he had conducted similar forums all across the state over the past couple of years.

“We think it's a really important part of being a government that's responsive to the biggest employers in NSW, and that is small and medium-sized enterprises.

“And we need to do more. We want you to grow.

“We want you to invest in your community. We want you to know that you've got a government that recognises that it's been a difficult few years, and that you need help in certain instances, in certain parts of the economy, and in other areas you just need to get out of the way.”

Minns told the forum that NSW had been left behind compared to other states, particularly Victoria, when it comes to getting their fair share of national revenue from the Federal Government.

‘We need sharper elbows when we're dealing with the feds, particularly for NSW’s share of Commonwealth money. We've got major infrastructure projects right across NSW,” he said.

“We're currently in the middle of building Shoalhaven and Shellharbour Hospital, putting billions of dollars into our health network.

"But it might surprise you to know that not withstanding the fact that NSW has about a third of the country's population, we get about 24% of the infrastructure spend for the country. And that difference is a massive difference for our state.

“It means that there's a limit on how much we can grow and how fast we can grow. For the GST split, it's even worse.”

Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald thanked Minns and Mookhey for making the time to engage directly with the local business community but was unhappy with the lack of clarity provided on local issues.

“With a by-election now underway in Kiama, it was disappointing that we heard little about the issues directly affecting our community,” he said.

“Voters in Kiama want to know where the Government stands on the projects and priorities that matter to them.”

Council recently adopted its State Government Advocacy Plan, which highlights the most pressing local priorities requiring state support, including:

• The Kiama Sports Precinct redevelopment: upgrades to ageing facilities supporting more than 5,500 club members.
• Urban Expansion Area Structure Plan: strategic planning for up to 4,500 new residential lots.
• Bombo Water Resource Recovery Facility upgrade: urgent investment to support housing growth and protect the environment.
• Removal of the Spring Creek restrictive covenant: unlocking Council-owned land to restore financial sustainability.

Premier Chris Minns, NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey and Business Illawarra director Coralie McCarthy. Photo: The Bugle

• Kiama main streetscape renewal and Harbour revitalisation plan: modernising public spaces and activating underutilised precincts.
• Education and early learning facilities: flood-free preschool for Jamberoo and more providers across the LGA.
• Improved road and public transport links, including reclassification of Jamberoo Mountain Road.
• Special Entertainment Precinct: to support Kiama’s live music and night-time economy.

Attendees at the forum. Photo: The Bugle

“These issues are critical to the future of Kiama,” Cr McDonald said.

“As Mayor, I again extend an open invitation to the Premier and Treasurer: come to Kiama, sit down with our community, and tell us where you stand on these priorities. Our residents deserve to know.”