Mayoral Column - June 24 2020

The weekend’s rainfall has been welcomed across the region with a number of landholders reporting their best figures since February this year. We are hoping to see more solid rainfalls looking ahead to a good forecast for the first week of June and for those higher in the hills, snow for the ski season now underway.

On Friday we received a visit from Prime Minister Scott Morrison who toured the construction site of the Polo Flat segments factory. Work is progressing well and once complete the factory will be an integral part of the Snowy 2.0 project.

At last Thursday’s Council Meeting, Councillors adopted the 2021 Operational Plan and the recommended state government rate pegging increase of 2.6%.

Our Operational Plan and budget have been carefully structured around pushing back the need for any additional increases above the rate peg increase.

Land values recently issued by the Valuer General of NSW have shown large variations across the Snowy Monaro region. These valuations are set by the Valuer General and not by Council. Increased land values don’t increase the overall revenue received by Council but it does change how the rates are distributed among ratepayers.

If you would like to lodge an objection to your latest property valuation with the NSW Valuer General you can do so at the following link - https://www.valuergeneral.nsw.gov.au/land_values The snow season has officially commenced and will be different to any before. The resorts and local businesses continue to work hard to implement social distancing measures.

Our businesses have welcomed the start of the season after a tough six months. I encourage all snow goers, locals and visitors alike, to please adhere to the advice from our health authorities and resort operators.

I am pleased dozens of community groups in the region will be supported through the latest round of Council’s donations and sponsorship program. $50,000 will make its way to groups in the Snowy Monaro. All councillors participated in the selection process to determine the successful applicants.

Recent letters to editor in the Monaro Post have called on Council to continue its support of local print media following legislative changes no longer requiring councils to advertise notices such as development applications and items on public exhibition.

Council has no intention of ceasing its support of local print media, and will continue to advertise such notices so this information is available in print to our community members.

Councillor Peter Beer Mayor of Snowy Monaro Regional Council