A regional council is reviewing its property and infrastructure portfolio. Photo: Gail Eastaway.
Snowy Monaro residents could lose parks, social housing and other infrastructure under a divestment strategy proposed by their council.
In January, Snowy Monaro Regional Council (SMRC) released its draft Property Review and Rationalisation Strategy for public feedback, after voting down a deferral late last year.
The document was prepared after the council was hit with a Performance Improvement Order (PIO) by the NSW Office of Local Government, in part because of its financial situation.
The PIO called for further actions towards financial stability, pointing to a 2022 external study from AEC Group that put forward a review of council-owned land and a consolidated approach to service delivery.
It spans sites in nearly two dozen towns, villages and other locations around the Snowy Monaro region.
Most of these are classified as ‘operational land’ and include some buildings and other infrastructure.
“Within the limitations of the time and resources allocated, the action objective was to identify lands and/or building assets that are not (or are no longer) serving a useful purpose for the delivery of council’s agreed services, or that are nearing the end of serviceability with consideration required as to whether to upgrade, replace or remove,” the document states.
“Retaining assets identified as being surplus to operational needs creates a direct cost to council to service operational costs including rates, waste management charges, water and sewer access charges, and further indirect costs such as insurance.”
One of the major changes put forward in the draft strategy is that the council would consider how feasible it is to keep all council office locations open.
This means Berridale Council Office on Myack Street, Bombala’s office on Caveat Street and Cooma Council Office on Commissioner Street could be affected.
Staff in the council’s office area in Jindabyne could move to a different location.
Two lots (at 26.9 and 27.1 hectares) adjoining Cooma Landfill would also be kept to accommodate a potential expansion and act as a “buffer” against nearby properties.
The Adaminaby Depot on Camp Street is recommended for divestment, following clean-up works.
While Berridale Depot has a “well-equipped” mechanical workshop, the draft strategy suggests stores could be run from Cooma or Bombala (with an exception for a fuel component).
SMRC also plans to hold on to the SES Depot at Jindabyne, which is described as being in “good condition [with] several garage/shed spaces”.
The review also states that multiple sites in Cooma are waiting on the Draft Cooma Local Parks Strategy to be finalised before the council makes a decision on their future.
Further planning on the Snowy River Hostel (as well as nearby vacant land and an access parcel) is also being finalised, which will determine the site’s future.
Under the plan, several sites would be kept for commercial reasons, such as the former health building in Jindabyne, while a vacant block on Vale Street would also be kept (with the addition of carparking suggested).
Several sites – such as HM Joseph Park in Bombala and a caravan park in Nimmitabel – are flagged as possible housing sites.
Under the strategy, SMRC would also re-evaluate the caravan park’s viability.
The draft strategy states that a review by council staff has found properties were misclassified as being exempt from rates, while other rent-paying properties should be exempt.
This also raised issues around whether the correct rates and charges were being issued to several properties.
The draft strategy states these “rating discrepancies” have been passed on to the council’s finance team.
“Not having to fund and maintain surplus properties may also assist in alleviating some financial pressure for future general rate increases, which creates a benefit to all ratepayers,” according to the document.
Once the consultation period closes, a report with the findings and any recommended changes is expected to be presented to the council.
People can view the documents and have their say until 11:59 pm on 16 February through the Your Say Snowy Monaro platform.
Hard copies are also available from council offices and libraries.
