Mayoral Column - Wednesday 24 March

CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY It was a privilege and honour to preside over the citizenship ceremony held before last week’s Council Meeting. It was also great to have such a ceremony in our chambers once again.

Please join me in extending a warm congratulations and welcome to the seven new Australian citizens in our community.

COUNCIL MEETING At last week’s meeting Councillors held continued discussion on the Rural Land Use and Settlements Strategies and resolved to amend the proposed E3 environmental zoning changes. Council has listened to the feedback from our community and work will begin on redrafting the strategy incorporating those resolutions.

The new draft Waste Management Strategy was also endorsed to be placed on public exhibition for community feedback. The proposed improvements and expansion of services are key to making waste services in our region more affordable and more environmentally responsible. Details for the community sessions will be communicated in the coming weeks and I encourage everyone to get involved.

Public consultations were also endorsed for the rates harmonisation project and the Michelago Masterplan. Details will also be shared in the next few weeks.

WEEKEND EVENTS Despite the weather, it was great to see more events returning to the region over the weekend. While the Multicultural Festival was formally cancelled, informal performances and takeaway food stalls still went ahead – and were very much enjoyed by all attendees.

I would also like to congratulate the Bombala Show Committee after a successful return to their annual event on the weekend.

RURAL MEDICAL STUDENTS IN TOWN On Monday we welcomed rural medical students from ANU to our region.

This program gives us the opportunity to showcase the Snowy Monaro as a place where future doctors can come and practice, with all the benefits of country lifestyle and our natural environment.

LOCAL MEMBERS ANNOUNCE FUNDING It was great to see our local members John Barilaro and Bronnie Taylor back in the Snowy Monaro last week.

A number of exciting announcements were made for our region during their visit including funding announcements for: Lambie St Preschool in Cooma, a new vehicle for St John’s Ambulance, Snowy Mountains Grammar School, the Regional Renewal Program including Monaro HS, Adaminaby PS, Bombala HS, Cooma North PS, Delegate PS, Cooma PS and Nimmitabel PS, plus the official opening of the new BMX facility in Jindabyne.