Kiama Council welcomes NSW Plastics Plan

Kiama Council welcomes NSW Plastics Plan

Published on 12 March 2026

Kiama Municipal Council welcomes the NSW Plastics Plan 2.0, announced by the NSW Government on Thursday, as a way to prevent pollution in our waterways, parks and communities.

The NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water partnered with the NSW Environment Protection Authority on a three-year study, the Broadscale Microplastic Assessment, which includes a report card and full technical report on microplastics in coastal waterways.

The study found that microplastics were detected in every waterway that was sampled with the findings showing that urbanisation strongly increases microplastic contamination.

The NSW Plastics Plan 2.0 will phase out the use of items like heavyweight plastic shopping bags, plastic confectionary sticks, and small items like soy sauce fish.
Fruit and vegetable stickers will have to become compostable and single use coffee cups will be required to be recyclable.

The plan will also stop the releases of helium balloons, which often end up in our waterways, endangering marine wildlife.

Kiama Council acknowledges the study's findings that the Minnamurra River had very high plastic contamination, reflecting the local urbanised environment of Kiama, and is committed to ongoing action to prevent microplastics entering waterways.

Crooked River and Werri Lagoon were found to have high levels of microplastic concentration. Around two thirds of the state's waterways had moderate or high levels, according to the research study.

Kiama Council has a Coastal Management Plan for open coastline, endorsed by NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage Penny Sharpe, which is being implemented. Council is developing a coastal management program specifically for estuaries.

Council uses gross pollutant traps in 19 locations within its stormwater network throughout the local government area which undergo regular cleaning, inspection, and condition reporting, including documentation of works completed.

Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald is encouraging local residents to reduce their use of plastics, where possible, to ensure our waterways maintain their status as a popular attraction for visitors and locals alike.

"We love our waterways here on the coast and we encourage local residents and businesses to do their part to ensure plastic use is minimised and that all plastics are disposed of correctly," Councillor McDonald said.

"Kiama Council is committed to helping the NSW Government in implementing the NSW Plastic Plan so that microplastics don't pollute our natural environment, to protect our community and our wildlife."

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