NSW · Illawarra / South Coast · Local council, made simple
Kiama Municipal Council
A small coastal municipality on the NSW South Coast, just south of Shellharbour and about 120 km from Sydney — around 23,200 people across towns like Kiama, Gerringong, Jamberoo and Minnamurra, known for the Kiama Blowhole and its beaches. The council (nine councillors, no wards) runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads, beaches, parks, libraries — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
2025–26 rate peg: 3.7%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 7 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyKiama's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
All 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Cameron McDonald (Independent)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: (02) 4232 0444
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~23,200
Open →What's happening
3 updatesRecent items from Kiama Municipal Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Event
Kiama Sculpture Walk 2026 (ARTpark)
ARTpark returns to Kiama with a public sculpture exhibition from Hindmarsh Park to Black Beach, on display from April to July 2026, supported by multi-year NSW Government funding.
What this means for you: A free outdoor exhibition to walk through over autumn and winter 2026 if you live in or are visiting the area.
Source: Kiama Council — What's on
- Waste
New 2026–27 waste calendar: recycling moves to fortnightly from 6 July
Kiama Council announced its 2026–27 waste collection calendar, starting Monday 6 July 2026. Yellow-lid recycling moves to a fortnightly cycle, the green FOGO bin stays weekly, and many households will have new collection days.
What this means for you: From 6 July your recycling is collected fortnightly and your collection day may change — enter your address on Council's Find My Bin page to confirm your new red, yellow and green dates and download your zone's calendar.
- Policy
IPART sets Kiama's 2025–26 rate peg at 3.7%
IPART set Kiama Council's 2025–26 rate peg at 3.7% (a 3.6% core peg plus a 0.1% population factor). The rate peg is the maximum percentage by which the council can increase its total general rates income for the year.
What this means for you: It caps the council's total rates income, not your individual bill — your own rates also depend on how your land value moved at the latest revaluation.
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