Community feedback is being sought on future Snowy Valleys Council naming and branding arrangements as de-amalgamation plans progress. Photo: Snowy Valleys Council.
Snowy Valleys residents are being asked whether one of the region’s future councils should retain the “Snowy Valleys” name as part of efforts to reduce the cost of de-amalgamation.
Snowy Valleys Council (SVC) has launched an online survey seeking community feedback on future council naming and branding arrangements, with one option under consideration being to keep the existing brand for one of the two new councils set to be established by 2028.
Council says retaining the name could reduce the cost of de-amalgamation by avoiding a full rebrand, potentially saving money on signage, vehicle decals, uniforms, stationery, websites, marketing materials and administrative documents.
Chief Transition Officer Nicole Jenkins said community feedback would play an important role in the decision-making process.
“Council understands that branding is about more than logos and signage; it’s also about identity, connection and representing the character of each community,” Ms Jenkins said.
“We know there are differing views across the community, and this survey provides an opportunity for residents to share what is most important to them as we progress de-amalgamation,” she added.
The council has indicated it intends to seek NSW Government funding assistance to support the de-amalgamation process.
However, Ms Jenkins said if sufficient funding was not secured, some costs might need to be funded through borrowing.
“Reducing costs where practical may help lower the amount required to be borrowed and reduce the potential size of any future special rate variation (SRV) needed to repay those costs,” she said.
The council’s De-amalgamation Implementation Plan estimates the transition could cost between $4 million and $4.8 million with those costs, according to Ms Jenkins, to be shared between the two future councils, meaning there would be no savings advantage to one area over another.
Ms Jenkins also stressed that if the SVC brand were retained by one of the new councils, the second council area would still undertake its own community consultation process to determine a future name and branding identity.
She said the wider tourism region would continue to be promoted as the Snowy Valleys regardless of the outcome, with Visit Snowy Valleys branding and destination marketing remaining unchanged.
At the same time, residents are being invited to play a direct role in shaping the transition process, with expressions of interest now open for six community positions on a new De-amalgamation Steering Committee.
The committee will include three community representatives from the northern part of the Snowy Valleys and three from the south, working alongside elected councillors and council executive staff.
Ms Jenkins said council was looking for people who could work collaboratively, represent the interests of the wider community and help keep the de-amalgamation process open, inclusive and focused on delivering positive outcomes for future residents.
She described de-amalgamation as a, “once in a generation opportunity” for residents to help shape the future of local government in the region.
“By getting involved, community members have the chance to actively help design a governance model that is effective, sustainable and truly responsive to local needs for many years to come,” Ms Jenkins said.
Council is also planning to establish a broader De-amalgamation Community Panel, with expressions of interest expected to open later this month.
“For the panel we will be looking for a diverse range of perspectives to help ensure the process is representative of our community and provides meaningful opportunities for people to have their say,” Ms Jenkins said.
The consultation process follows strong support for de-amalgamation during a November 2025 referendum, when residents voted in favour of restoring separate councils based on the former Tumut Shire and Tumbarumba Shire local government areas.
SVC is working towards reinstating the two councils by 1 July 2028.
The branding survey closes on 17 June, while applications for the De-amalgamation Steering Committee close on 18 June. The survey can be found here.
