Department of Premier and Cabinet has confirmed Kiama Council is not required to consider a merger with Shoalhaven Council, as it met the Scale & Capacity criteria in the NSW Government’s recent assessment of ‘fitness’.

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) Report concluded that, based on its analysis, it had ‘not identified evidence for a better alternative to [Kiama] Councils proposal to stand alone’.

Council’s Acting General Manager, Bryan Whittaker said, “Council will be preparing a response to the IPART findings, due to be submitted by 18 November.

“Council considers that a number of unique and highly relevant circumstances have not been fully considered.

“We are confident we can continue to demonstrate our ability to operate as an effective and sustainable local government body into the future.

“I would like to thank the community for the tremendous support we have received over the last week.

“We are committed to working with the State Government to be Fit for the Future.”