Mayoral Column – Wednesday 14 October 2020

The October Ordinary Council Meeting will be held this Thursday 15 October. While the meeting is closed to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions, I strongly encourage the community to participate by watching the webcast via Council’s website.

Councillors will consider placing the Draft Rural Land Use Strategy and Draft Settlements Strategy on public exhibition. Both are important documents that will set the guidelines for Council’s decision-making process for future rural and urban development.

The Rural Land Use Strategy, if approved for public exhibition, will be out for comment for 40-days to allow our community time to read and provide feedback on this detailed document.

A guide to help residents negotiate the development application process will come before Council. We know the planning process can be complex and this guide will simplify the process for our community, future developers and first time applicants within the Snowy Monaro.

The Cooma Sports Hub project presents an exciting opportunity to enhance grassroots sport in the Snowy Monaro and provide a state-of-the-art precinct capable of hosting regional level events.

We are asking our community to provide their thoughts on the project and the specific sports and activities you would like included in the new facilities. Visit Your Say Snowy Monaro or any Council office for further project details and to have your say.

I would like to pass on my thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Cooma resident, Maurie Hore.

Maurie dedicated his time across many organisations and activities, and for about 20-years he served as a community transport driver and group activities volunteer.

Over these many years of service, Maurie supported some of our community’s most vulnerable people. In 2008, Maurie was awarded the NSW Volunteer of the Year.

A few of the community pursuits Maurie supported, include: helping in the dialysis ward at Cooma Hospital, coaching the Cooma Cats Aussie Rules side to a premiership in 1984, and providing opportunities for local tennis players to learn and improve their skills.

Maurie brought great light and laughter to all his pursuits and was at his finest when there was an audience to entertain.

Maurie will be very much missed.,

Councillor Peter Beer Mayor of Snowy Monaro Regional Council