At Tuesday’s meeting, Kiama councillor Neil Reilly proposed that each year, council set aside February 3 as ‘Kiama Independence Day’.

Cr Reilly successfully moved that council mark this day with a morning tea and host a public speaking competition. 

February 3 this year was the date of the public inquiry meetings into the state government’s then proposed merger of Kiama and Shoalhaven councils. 

Cr Reilly said, “we should pause and think for a moment (that) we’re very lucky to have had a (Kiama council) election at all”. 

“It’s only through the community, the thousands of them, that spoke as one voice in defence of our independence. To continually remind us of our obligations to put the people first in our policy… We could set aside a day of the year, and use it to ensure that the future remains un-amalgamated.”

Kiama Mayor Mark Honey said that “it’s a good idea… If it’s only a once-off, or it’s recognised annually.”