Mayoral Column - Wednesday 10 February

Draft Rural Land Use Strategy

The submission period for Council’s Draft Rural Land Use Strategy closed last week.

As you are no doubt aware, this has been a contentious matter for both council and residents. I anticipate that this won’t be settled and resolved immediately, and there will be considerable ongoing discussion and deliberation on this front.

I would like to thank everyone that made a submission during the consultation period, attended a meeting, or otherwise made their voice heard.

Jindabyne Special Activation Precinct Update

Last week there were meetings held with business groups and community organisations to discuss progress on the Jindabyne Special Activation Precinct (SAP).

Further community consultation on the SAP will be held around Easter. I encourage all residents, not only in the immediate Jindabyne and resorts areas, but right across the Snowy Monaro to get involved in this process. Flow-on effects from this development will have an impact on our whole local government area.

While progress was slowed due to COVID and all of last year’s difficulties, the SAP is now gaining some traction and I hope to be able to communicate more with you on this front throughout the year. We look forward to reviewing the draft masterplan and our subject matter experts in council are currently working through the next round of the draft technical reports.

Lions Club South East District Convention

I had the honour of welcoming delegates from the South East NSW District Lions Clubs to their annual convention, held this past weekend at the Cooma Car Club.

Our community knows that our Lions Clubs do a mammoth amount of community work within the Snowy Monaro LGA, which everyone is grateful and thankful for.

The Lions are always there when we need them, from Australia Day celebrations to bushfire recovery and support. I thank all members for their tireless service to our communities.

Clean Up Australia Day

I would like to encourage Snowy Monaro residents to sign up for Clean Up Australia Day on 7 March 2021.

It is heartening to see that several groups across our region have already signed up. After a difficult year these events are a perfect opportunity to give back to the community and reconnect with one another.

Residents can join one of the existing groups or form their own at www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au

Councillor Peter Beer Mayor of Snowy Monaro Regional Council