Mayoral Column 1 April 2020

I am urging people to help stop the spread of COVID-19 in the Snowy Monaro by staying at home and not choosing our region as a place to self-isolate.

Please follow the advice from health professionals and avoid all non-essential travel. While I appreciate people are looking to leave metropolitan areas and help support regional communities during these uncertain times, the best way you can help the Snowy Monaro region and yourselves is by staying home.

We know our economy relies significantly on visitors, but now, we need to prioritise our community’s health.

Additional people in the Snowy Monaro are only putting our permanent residents at risk and increasing the burden on our already stretched resources.

While many properties in the Snowy Monaro are owned by investors from outside the area, and I appreciate their right to visit these properties, I urge them to stay at their normal place of residency.

The Snowy Monaro will always be here for you to enjoy. Now is definitely not that time during this epidemic.

I thank our community for doing their best to stop the spread of COVID-19. Those finding it difficult, please make the extra effort as you might spread the virus to other sections of our community.

We have proven to be a resilient community who has overcome bush fires and floods, and together we will overcome COVID-19.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, local government elections that were scheduled to be held in September this year have been delayed until September 2021.

This means the elected Snowy Monaro Regional Councillors will remain in their roles for an additional 12 months. I and my fellow Councillors look forward to continuing to serve our community.

Mayoral Bushfire Relief Fund now open In support of our community, I am pleased to announce that applications for the Mayoral Bushfire Relief Fund are now open.

This fund is designed to provide equitable relief to residents directly affected by recent bushfires. The total value of funds available is $483,000 and recipients must be owners of fire-affected properties.

Funding priority will be given to primary residences, perimeter fencing along public roads and outbuildings used for income generation.

Council’s Customer Service Team can assist you in the application process. Forms are available on Council’s website in the bushfire recovery section. Residents are required to apply in writing. Applications close Friday 17 April 2020.

Councillor Peter Beer Mayor of Snowy Monaro Regional Council