Kiama councillor Andrew Sloan has asked for petitions opposing council "consolidation" to be available throughout the municipality.
KIAMA residents will be able to add their voice to the council's opposition to any future local government amalgamations, with petitions to be circulated throughout the municipality.
In the wake of renewed speculation about amalgamations, at the December ordinary council meeting councillors unanimously resolved to place petitions at council facilities.
In March, the state government announced an Independent Local Government Review Panel to examine the financial sustainability, structures and boundaries of the 152 NSW councils.
In its final report due in July, the panel is expected to recommend forced and voluntary mergers, despite the state government denying it will backflip on an election promise of no forced council "consolidations".
Local Government Minister Don Page has said he would take any recommendation for forced amalgamations to cabinet.
The Illawarra has been mentioned as one area which could face such a merger.
At the meeting, councillor Andrew Sloan expanded on general manager Michael Forsyth's report asking for the community to be made aware of the issues and encouraging them to comment.
Mr Sloan proposed a series of points on the issue, including that petitions be made available.
He said more than 90 per cent of Kiama residents opposed amalgamation.
"This council has a well-deserved reputation in terms of governance and in terms of the protection of the amenity [of Kiama]," he said. "Previous councils for decades have done a wonderful job of serving the residents well. The fact that we are a small council and are still in a financially strong position is also a credit to previous councils."
Mayor Brian Petschler also suggested that the council seek the support of Member for Kiama Gareth Ward on the council's position.
Mr Petschler said the council may look at creating a petition which is able to be tabled in Parliament.
"But it's more than just a petition; we want to make sure that people are informed," he said.
"That is what got me back on council, frankly. I had no intention of being a councillor [after his time as general manager] until I sat in on the inquiry into Shellharbour Council [which lead to it being dismissed in 2008].
"Back then I had the feeling that somewhere in the bowels of the then-department of local government, there was a map being drawn for a greater Illawarra council, which would be disastrous for us.
"Why destroy something that is working well?"
