Snowy Monaro Council needs your input on the region’s future

Snowy Monaro Council has a bunch of new plans and financial documents out now for feedback and input from you – our community members and visitors.

Everyone is quick to have their say on social media which is the wrong platform for real change. Here is your chance to offer meaningful input for the future of your region.

Since the launch of the consultation on the draft Integrated Planning & Reporting documentation on Monday 9 May Council had 839 visits to the YourSay page, hundreds of comments on social media, high attendance at the in-person events – but only 35 feedback surveys completed.

These documents cover everything from rates, to road maintenance, to the projects we’re planning to do over the course of the next ten years. They lay out the plans for the future, short-term and long-term, and the direction in which Council and community decide to go together for the future of our region here in the Snowy Monaro.

Council is open to hearing about all of the needs and priorities of the community and looks forward to your contribution. At some point decisions will have to be made about where council's limited resources are directed.

The documents open for your opinion on are:

  • Draft 2022-2026 Delivery Program (four-year plan)
  • 2022-2023 Operational Plan (one year plan and budget)
  • Draft Long Term Financial Plan 2022-2032 (ten-year forecast)
  • Draft Revenue Policy 2022-2023 • Draft Fees and Charges (services and facilities)

The Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP) is particularly important and has received the bulk of the media coverage and social commentary so far.

While it may seem that your social media comments are well received with others on those platforms, if you want your voice to be heard where it counts, then spend a bit of time offering your opinion in the right format here.

One of the problems our area faces is we are a very large area with limited population compared to some other areas. This results in less incoming funds to meet expenditure. Council have stated before they always rely on grants, but this may still not be enough to fund everything the residents expect.

It's really important that you understand (despite what you may have heard so far): this is not a rubber-stamping exercise to push through a huge rate rise.

The draft LFTP has four different options for rates to consider:

  • No increase beyond yearly state government increase
  • 5% per year for eight years (inclusive of standard increase)
  • 9.3% per year for eight years (inclusive of standard increase)
  • 18.4% one-off only increase

Council wants to know which option you prefer. That's why they are promoting this consultation everywhere, holding drop-in sessions and pop-ups, media interviews, website updates, social posts, newsletters and more...

There are downloadable documents and a schedule for drop in sessions, so please take the time to read and understand them.

Plus, there is a scheduled zoom meeting this evening, Monday 30 May from 7.00 to 8.00pm you can register for.

Another zoom meeting is scheduled for June 6.

They encourage everyone in our community to talk to them and participate. To get involved, find your nearest event to talk to council in person, or to learn more and read the plans for our future – head to yoursaysnowymonaro.com.au today.

Feedback closes Monday 6 June 2022.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Full meeting schedule here and below

30 May 2022

3pm - 5pm Nimmitabel Drop-in Session

Community is invited to stop by for drop-in session at the Pioneer Hall, Nimmitabel between 3pm - 5pm.

30 May 2022

7pm - 8pm Online Session via Zoom

Join us from the comfort of your own home as we discuss our draft IPR Suite and answer your questions. Register here 

31 May 2022

12pm - 2pm Delegate Drop-in Session

Community is invited to stop by for drop-in session at the RTC (Rural Transaction/Community Technology Centre) between 12pm - 2pm.

31 May 2022

3pm - 4.45pm Bombala Pop-up Session

Community is invited to stop by for pop-up stall outside the Bombala Post Office between 3pm - 4.45pm.

31 May 2022

5pm - 7pm Bombala Drop-in session

Community is invited to stop by for drop-in session at the Bombala Community Centre between 5pm - 7pm.

01 June 2022

3pm - 4.45pm Jindabyne Pop-up Stall

Community is invited to stop by for pop-up stall outside the Jindabyne Post Office between 3pm - 4.45pm.

01 June 2022

5pm - 7pm Jindabyne Drop-in Session

Community is invited to stop by for drop-in session at the Jindabyne Memorial Hall between 5pm - 7pm.

03 June 2022

5pm - 7pm Jindabyne East Drop-in Session

Community is invited to stop by for drop-in session at Siesta Villa, JIndbayne East between 5pm - 7pm.

04 June 2022

9am - 12pm Dalgety Drop-in Session

Community is invited to stop by for drop-in session at the Dalgety Hall between 9am - 12pm.

04 June 2022 4

4.30pm - 6.30pm Numeralla Drop-in Session

Community is invited to stop by for drop-in session at the Numeralla Community Hall between 4.30pm - 6.30pm.

06 June 2022

7pm - 8pm Online Session via Zoom

Join council from the comfort of your own home as they discuss our draft IPR Suite and answer your questions. Register here