Council places key strategic documents on exhibition

At last week’s October Council Meeting, Councillors voted in favour of placing the Rural Land Use Strategy and Settlements Strategy on public exhibition for 40-days.

The documents will guide the development of the Snowy Monaro Local Environment Plan (LEP), consolidating the LEPs of the former Bombala, Cooma-Monaro and Snowy River Shire Councils.

The Rural Land Use Strategy provides a framework to guide growth and development within the rural lands of the Snowy Monaro Region, ensuring the region’s economy and environment are protected. The strategy outlines recommendations for minimum lot size, appropriate land use zoning, scenic protection and rural industry protection, amongst other relevant considerations.

The Settlements Strategy presents a series of outcomes that will assist the growth of our towns and villages. Outlined in the strategy is potential for future urban release areas along with rezoning of land to meet the short to medium-term growth needs of our communities.

When placing these documents on public exhibition, Council resolved to ask our community for input into a possible heavy vehicle alternative route for Cooma (southern bypass) connecting the Monaro Hwy south of Cooma with Kosciuszko Rdsss/Snowy Mountains Highway to the west. This is the start of a conversation into whether a possible heavy vehicle alternative route is viable. This has been identified in the Snowy Monaro Local Strategic Planning Statement as a medium to long-term priority.

Snowy Monaro Regional Council Mayor Peter Beer is encouraging the community to have their say on these two informative documents.

“Both documents are comprehensive and well presented, and now is the time to help guide the region’s future planning guidelines,” Mayor Beer said.

“We have placed the strategies on exhibition for longer than the usual 28-day period to ensure our community has the time to provide considered feedback. We value your contributions.”

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, face-to-face consultation will be limited to drop-in sessions. In-person meetings can be organised with Council staff outside of these times. The community is also encouraged to register for online zoom sessions through Your Say Snowy Monaro and Council’s Facebook page.

Drop-in-sessions •Jindabyne council office - Thursday 29 October 9am to 4pm. •Cooma council office – Wednesday 4 November 9am to 4pm. •Bombala council office – Tuesday 10 November 9am to 4pm •Berridale council office – Thursday 12 November 9am to 4pm.

The strategy documents can be viewed, and feedback provided, through our community consultation online, Your Say Snowy Monaro, link below.

Each Council office and library will also have print copies for our community to view. To access a hard copy, you will need to make an appointment by calling 1300 345 345 or emailing [email protected]. This is due to COVID-19 restrictions and you will be allocated a meeting room to use, complete with check-in document, hand sanitizer, and if requested, a mask. All surfaces will be wiped down between appointments.

Feedback on both strategies closes Sunday 29 November 2020.