Updated news on the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct (SAP) including Federal funding for the Southern Connector bypass road.
The Snowy Mountains town of Jindabyne will benefit from the Federal Government’s budget with a $100 million investment in the Southern Connector project, effectively a Jindabyne bypass road.
When the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct (SAP) draft master plan was exhibited during the 2021 winter, the Southern Connector was one of the most discussed topics and how it would benefit the town in the 40-year master plan vision.
One concern was that the cost of the bypass would come from the Snowy Legacy fund, which the SAP will be relying on to fund the final master plan when it's announced in June 2022.
The SAP is expected to have upwards of $200 million for infrastructure and development projects which will be announced in the final master plan. The relocation of the Jindabyne Central School will come under separate funding from the NSW Education Department.
The Snowy Legacy Fund comprises $4.2 billion from the sale of Snowy Hydro that has been dedicated to regional NSW. This money helped fund other region SAP’s that have either been delivered or are still in progress.
Recent SAP Update
At a recent Snowy Mountains SAP invited community advisory group meeting in Jindabyne, the planning team involved in delivering the SAP presented a brief update and answered questions from the group.
What is expected to be announced is that for now, there will be no updates on what the future holds for the NRMA owned Jindabyne Holiday Park. This lake foreshore precinct was initially the centre piece of the draft master plan to have a new vibrant foreshore precinct and be a key element of the Lake Foreshore activation.
Considering the emotion showed by the community on this topic, it would be a courtesy to offer answers and more details on what the future outcome of this area will be. Will it remain long term as a caravan park, or will this change in the future.
Banjo Paterson Park – Flooding
When asked would the current problem be addressed or rectified where Banjo Paterson Park has been flooded when the lake is at 100 percent, the answer was no, it will not be assessed for funding under the SAP. It was suggested to the planning team that an easy fix would be to raise the height of the park to above the 100 percent water line by filling in the park and re-landscaping, hardly a very expensive exercise considering the amount of money being spoken about for the whole SAP. The planning team mentioned this could be a future project outside of the SAP.
Considering the NSW Government is about to spend over $200 million on projects to help improve the town and the resorts for improved tourism opportunities, especially summer, it would seem a no brainer to fix this problem at Banjo Paterson Park once and for all. The park being flooded has been a major issue for tourism this past summer and autumn. While it is not a regular occurrence, the last time being March 2012, it should be part of the proposed lake activation.
Surely one of the many technical consultants and experts involved in the project would have seen the obvious major impact this is having on the town this summer.
The following points were supplied by the SAP planners at the recent meeting.
Updated Master Plan Information
Further Biodiversity and Heritage technical studies have been conducted and reports for each precinct will be presented with the final master plan.
Jindabyne Parking and Transport
Further technical studies on a parking strategy for Jindabyne are being undertaking after this issue was constantly raised in submissions on the draft master plan. This will include a review of existing parking in the Town Centre, identifying additional public parking requirements and recommendations for parking provisions for new developments.
The proposed extension of Park Road for a bus route has been removed from the master plan.
Perisher Valley Parking Update
Further refinement of the parking strategy in Perisher Valley will see the Mt Piper area designated for additional parking. In the draft master plan there were 581 car parking spaces proposed for Mt Piper.
Mt Piper is the area immediately to the left of this picture as you first drive into Perisher Valley. This is already disturbed land and was previously the site of the Perisher View lodge. The time frame is yet to be clarified on this parking upgrade.
Additions to master plan
After consideration of over 2000 submissions and deciphering information, the final master plan will have some additions including:
- Pump track opportunity at Lake Jindabyne Foreshore
- Dedicated snow play area in Perisher Valley
- Additional Parking in Perisher Valley (mentioned above)
- Identification of infill and renewal opportunities at Perisher for development of more beds. Suggested areas would be within close proximity to the majority of existing buildings. Plus a new Perisher central village development with accommodation, shops and community facilities.
- Summer alpine shuttle service
- Jindabyne South residential
- Alpine Experience Centre, inclusive of Alpine Heritage opportunity
Exclusions to Master Plan
- The suggested Porcupine Rocks viewing platform has been removed from the plan
- The suggested Island Bend commercial operator glamping will now be a development by the NPWS
- Western Lake Jindabyne foreshore has a revised, reduced footprint. This will increase open space along foreshore, inclusion of setbacks and visual buffers from the lake edge.
Final Master Plan
It is expected the Final SAP Master Plan will be released in June 2022.
This will include:
- Amendment to Precincts - regional SEPP
- Amendment to Snowy River LEP.
- The NPWS Plan of Management (PoM) will be amended by NPWS.
The state government will also announce their investment decisions.
Exhibition of Delivery Stage
In late 2022 the Exhibition of the Delivery Stage of the project will be available including the Jindabyne Catalysts Delivery Plans, Jindabyne Growth Development Control Plans and the Alpine Development Control Plan.
