Mayoral Column - Wednesday 27 January

PEAK VIEW MEMORIAL

Due to the Australia Day public holiday I am writing this column a number of days in advance this week. Accordingly, by the time you read this the Peak View Rural Fire Brigade memorial will have taken place for the American air crew of ‘Bomber-134’.

Saturday 23 January 2021 will have marked the one-year anniversary since Pilot-in-Command Captain Ian McBeth, First Officer Paul Hudson and Flight Engineer Rick DeMorgan paid the ultimate sacrifice when their water bomber crashed while fighting a bushfire at Peak View, north-east of Cooma.

I will have attended the memorial on behalf of Council to lay a wreath and pay our respects. We will be forever grateful for their service and our thoughts are with their families and colleagues.

AUSTRALIA DAY

Similarly the Australia Day events throughout the region will have taken place on Saturday and yesterday. Australia Day is a day to reflect, respect and celebrate the Australian spirit, our history, our stories, our achievements and most importantly our people.

I am delighted to congratulate those that became Australian Citizens at the Cooma ceremony and ask you to join me in embracing them as part of our community.

Congratulations also to our Australia Day award winners. Your ongoing work in the community is recognised and appreciated. Thank you.

NORRIS PARK - THANKS TO COOMA LIONS CLUB

I extend my sincere thanks to the Cooma Lions Club for dedicating their time and resources to delivery of an inclusive pathway through Norris Park for the Cooma Community, along with a wheelchair-friendly ramp and parking space. Through their generosity we are able to continue to ensure that our public spaces are accessible to all members of our community.

The contributions and efforts of our service clubs throughout the region often go unsung, but we are grateful to them all for everything they do to support the wellbeing of our communities.

DRAFT RURAL LAND USE STRATEGY

A reminder that the cut-off date for feedback on the draft Rural Land Use Strategy is Monday 1 February 2021. If you are yet to provide feedback, or wish to make a further submission I encourage you to contact Council before this date.

It is expected that a report on the submissions will be presented to Council in the next couple of months, and from there a determination will be made on the actions that are required, with probable further consultation.

COUNCIL MEETING I have been contacted by some residents regarding when the next Council meeting is taking place. As is normal for this Council, and many others, we will not be holding a meeting in January. The first meeting for the year will take place on Thursday 18 February in Bombala.

Finally, I wish all of the pupils and teachers going back to school this week all the best for the new school year.

Councillor Peter Beer Mayor of Snowy Monaro Regional Council