The proposed merger wasn’t the sole target though; the process at Wednesday morning’s meeting and the venue itself also came under fire.

Public inquiry meetings regarding the state government’s proposed merger of Kiama and Shoalhaven councils took place. 

There were two sessions scheduled at Kiama Leagues Club, while another was held at the Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemen’s Club.

Delegates have been assigned to examine and report on each merger proposal. 

Greg Wright, delegate for the proposed Kiama/Shoalhaven amalgamation was present at the meetings. 

During the three-hour morning session at Kiama, residents were given a three-minute time limit to make a verbal submission. 

Due to more than 80 people registering not all were able to address the delegate within the allotted timeframe, and more than a dozen were asked to return for the evening session.

The event taking place within a marquee in the Leagues Club car park drew the ire of Kiama Mayor Brian Petschler. 

“This was appalling,’’ Cr Petschler said of a lack of facilities amid the summer heat. 

“This is symbolic of the disrespect the community has been shown throughout this process.

“It was simply too hot for some people.

“One speaker handed his speaker number to me with a note indicating he had breathing difficulties in that venue and had to leave before he had made his submission.”

Cr Petschler said council had offered The Pavilion for use as a venue.

Although also disappointed with the three-minute time limit for speakers, the mayor was “humbled” by the number of residents who had indicated their support for retention of Kiama council. 

Cr Petschler, Kiama council general manager Michael Forsyth and Kiama MP Gareth Ward addressed the meeting. 

Each resident who made a submission spoke against the proposed merger. 

Concerns included loss of local identity, the municipality having little representation in terms of councillors on a merged council, reduction in service quality and the future of council-owned Blue Haven retirement village. 

President of the Kiama-Jamberoo RSL Sub-Branch Ian Pullar closed his submission on the merger by saying that “in military terms… it’s bullshit”. 

Kiama Downs’ Natalie Allan, who led a successful community appeal to prevent a service station being built at Bombo feared a loss of equitable access to councillors to directly express specific concerns. 

Ken Jeffrey of the Jamberoo Valley Ratepayers and Residents Association criticised the proposal document. 

“This shameful document is full of errors, omissions and untruths,” he said.

“It is very clear from the merger proposal document that this amalgamation is designed to make it easier for developers to get approval.”

Two residents in favour of amalgamation had registered, but time ran out before being able to make their address. 

Gerroa’s Rob Neill said he waited three hours without receiving the opportunity to discuss potential benefits. 

“There was no process by which they worked out who’s for and against, which means we didn’t have one person speak for the merger this morning,” he said. 

The evening Kiama session was moved to the Leagues Club auditorium.