In recent years, Tumbarumba residents have mounted strong campaigns in favour of demerging Snowy Valleys Council. Photo: Twin Towns Times.
The Local Government Boundaries Commission is calling for public submissions from the local community in relation to demerger proposals for Snowy Valleys Council and Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council.
The submission process follows the Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock, formally referring the proposals to the commission for examination and report.
The Commission is an independent statutory authority which examines proposals for changes to local government boundaries and advises the minister of its findings.
Commission Chair Bob Sendt said under the the Local Government Act, the Boundaries Commission is required to consider the views of ratepayers and residents.
“I encourage anyone with an interest in this matter to make a written submission which will be taken into consideration by the Commission in the examination and report process,” he said.
Submissions previously made to the Minister for Local Government have been provided to the Commission.
The Commission also intends to hold public hearings at Cootamundra, Gundagai, Tumut and Tumbarumba as part of the examination and report process.
Venues, dates and times will be advertised by public notice.
Public hearings will be open to the public and media.
Members of the public can also register to make oral submissions at the hearings.
The hearings will be subject to any restrictions and measures to manage COVID-19. The Commission is currently monitoring all government requirements in respect of the coronavirus pandemic, particularly in relation to public gatherings.
If the Commission subsequently needs to amend any arrangements due to the impact of COVID-19, details will be published on its website
Following the public hearings and consideration of the proposals, the Commission will prepare a report for the Minister with recommendations as to whether the proposals should be implemented.
While the Local Government Act does not provide a time-frame for the process to be undertaken, the Commission is aware of the need for it to be completed in a reasonable time-frame to provide certainty to councils and residents.
Written submissions should be forwarded to the Local Government Boundaries Commission, Executive Officer, Locked Bag 3015, Nowra NSW 2541 or emailed to [email protected].
Submissions must be lodged by April 24.
The Commission has also published FAQs on its website to inform the local community about the examination and report process.
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