Mayoral Column - Wednesday 17 March

Regular Council Meeting

Council’s regular monthly meeting is on again tomorrow, 18 March 2021, in Cooma.

My fellow Councillors and I have plenty to cover, with the agenda including:

•Berridale Highdale Carpark improvements

•An updated report on the Rural Land Use Strategy, including the officer’s recommendation to amend proposed E3 Environmental Management zoning by maintaining existing E3 Environmental Management zoning as per current LEPs

•Michelago Master Plan

•Development of Rates Structure (Harmonisation)

Jindabyne Area Informal Camping Meeting

Council is holding a meeting in Jindabyne on Tuesday 23 March 2021 at the Jindabyne Bowling Club from 6pm to talk about informal camping in the wider area.

Balancing the competing demands of our residents and the tourist economy is a difficult task, but one that Council is determined to get right. With your input, we’ll be able to ensure that the best options are put forward to address these issues.

I’ll be there, as will a number of key Council personnel and representatives from the local community and businesses. We hope to see many in attendance.

Trails Masterplan Update

The last two community workshops on the Snowy Monaro Regional Trails Masterplan are coming up.

With community members in Michelago, Jindabyne and Adaminaby already having made valuable input into this project – Bombala and Cooma have their turn this week on 17 and 18 March respectively, from 6 - 7.30pm.

This initiative of Council will continue our region’s transformation into a year-round outdoor destination and community input is vital to ensure the plan works for everyone.

Snowy Monaro B2B Expo

An exciting event for local businesses and business people across our region is coming up next week on 25 March and I encourage operators to register to attend.

The Snowy Monaro Business to Business Expo will help our local economy by providing more opportunities for our local operators to get to know each other and work together. Make sourdough bread? Own a B&B? Produce locally made bathroom amenities? Manage a hotel? Time to connect as businesses and support local.

It’s on 25 March from 12pm to 8pm at Jindabyne Memorial Hall, with entertainment and refreshments provided.

Contact Sarah Blyton by email at [email protected] to register or for information.

Welcoming Qantas

Qantas has announced their new schedule of flights from Sydney and Brisbane into Snowy Mountains Airport and I would like to extend to them a warm welcome.

As we continue to build on our popularity as a year-round destination, especially in summer, I am confident that this winter service will soon become a year-round offering.

The news is a boon to our region as we enter what should be a bumper winter season.