Mayoral Column - Wednesday 28 October 2020

I acknowledge Council’s apology to the Bombala community for not communicating with residents about the removal of trees in Bicentennial Park. These trees hold sentimental value to the community and their removal has caused angst as residents did not know about this ahead of time.

The trees were removed to install a pump station and related infrastructure for the larger Bombala Sewage Treatment Plant upgrade. The Bombala STP is an important project for the community. However, this does not excuse the fact the community should have been informed ahead of any planned tree removal. Council acknowledges this.

Council’s Strategic Planning team will hold community information sessions over the next fortnight to discuss the Draft Rural Land Use and Settlements Strategies. Sessions are planned for Council’s Jindabyne, Cooma, Bombala and Berridale offices.

Under the Crown Land Management Act 2016, the responsibility for the management of an additional 70 Crown Reserves has been handed to Council. Council will host information sessions to obtain feedback on the future use of these reserves.

Dates and times for these community sessions are available on Council’s website, Facebook page or by contacting Council directly.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, people interested in attending any community session are required to book a time to meet with Council staff, as are people wishing to view a hard copy of exhibition documents. Please contact Council on 1300 345 345 to make an appointment or session booking.

Applications are still open for Council’s latest round of donations and sponsorship program. Community organisations are encouraged to apply. As the saying goes, you have to be in it to win it. Applications close Wednesday 11 November 2020.

Last week, I had the pleasure of speaking at the Monaro Group Country Women’s Association AGM. Our CWA volunteers contribute so much to our communities and we are very thankful for their ongoing hard work.

Our CWA volunteers provided tremendous assistance throughout the bushfire emergency. Our region is very grateful for your ongoing work.

Councillor Peter Beer Mayor of Snowy Monaro Regional Council