Mayoral Column - Wednesday 19 May

COUNCIL MEETING

Thursday 20 May 2021 is the third last meeting of the current Council before entering the caretaker period prior to local government elections in September.

There is much to discuss this week, including:

• Helping to address the GP shortage in Bombala by providing or subsidising housing for an additional doctor

• Making a submission to the NSW Inquiry into the long-term sustainability and future of the timber and forest products industry

• There are six notices of motion from Councillors in the business papers for the meeting, covering topics from housing to rates

• Since Council last met, there have been consequential changes passed to the legislation governing the rates harmonisation process for amalgamated councils. We will be discussing this in detail to understand what it means for the Snowy Monaro, and what, if any changes we need to make to our own rates harmonisation proposals.

I encourage residents and ratepayers to tune in via webcast, or attend in person at Cooma Chambers.

SEEKING EOIS FOR OUR REGION’S AGED CARE

Council is focused on securing the best outcome for our aged care residents and their families, and this process of market sounding is solely to find the best solution for aged care in the Snowy Monaro.

We believe that this transition to a new operator for both of Council’s residential aged care facilities is the best path to take. Council originally built low-care facilities in our region to address urgent community needs not being addressed by any other government or private sector initiative.

The needs and regulations have changed, and the continuation of high-level care and services for our region is the key priority.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

NSW local government elections will be held Saturday 4 September 2021.

Local and regional government is the engine room of Australian politics and the importance of proper representation on our councils could not be more important.

I strongly encourage anyone who has ever thought about running for election to Council to attend the NSW Electoral Commission’s webinars currently being held, and forwomen in our region to attend the upcoming Association of Local Government Women’s event for female candidates in Cooma on Saturday 29 May 2021 at The Snowy Mountains Travellers Rest.

Please visit Council’s website for more information.

RSPCA 40TH BIRTHDAY

It was a delight to attend the RSPCA 40th birthday celebrations this past weekend. Thank you to everyone who came along with their pets to both Jindabyne and Cooma.

Special thanks to RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman for attending, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with them in the coming years.