Woven, a Snowy Monaro Story - Mayoral Column 24 July

Cooma Library is inviting the community of the Snowy Monaro to participate in a collaborative community arts project integrating fibre arts and text messages to create a woven public art piece.

Woven, a Snowy Monaro Story is a joint project between The Men’s Shed - Cooma, Monaro Fabric Artists and Council’s Snowy Monaro Regional Library. Throughout August and September, all community members are encouraged to weave a session of the tapestry, adding to the story of our region. Library staff will be on hand to help you weave your story so no weaving experience is required.

Community consultation on the proposed rail trail held the first of a series of open house consultation sessions last night in Bombala to engage with the community as part of the investigation for a feasibility study to see if a recreation trail for cyclists and hikers on the disused railway between Queanbeyan and Bombala.

These drop-in sessions allow you to come along at a time which suits you to view information about the project via a display and have one-on-one conversations with the consultants where you can ask any your questions.

The dates and times of the remaining sessions are: •Wednesday 24 July - 5.00pm – 7.00pm - Nimmitabel (Nimmitabel Community Centre) •Thursday 25 July 5.00pm – 7.00pm - Cooma (Cooma Library) •Friday 26 July 5.00pm – 7.00pm - Bredbo (Bredbo Community Hall) •Saturday 27 July 9.00am – 12.00 noon - Michelago (Michelago General Store)

Council has yet to determine whether it will proceed with the proposed trail. At the same time as the Rail Trail Feasibility Study is being undertaken, other consultants have been engaged by the State Government to determine whether it is practical and viable to return trains to this corridor and to extend the railway to Eden. The results of that study will have a major bearing on the feasibility of a trail on the disused railway corridor, which is owned by the State Government, not Council.

Today Council will be hosting two public meetings on the water and sewer charges, 10am at the Cooma Council Chambers and 2pm at the Jindabyne Memorial Hall. I encourage all customers and real estate agents to attend.

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment has issued a ‘rising river alert’ for the Snowy River between Jindabyne Dam and Dalgety in southern NSW for Thursday 25 July 2019. More information can be found at - www.industry.nsw.gov.au/water/basins-catchments/snowy-river/initiative/increased-flows

Councillor John Rooney Mayor of Snowy Monaro Regional Council