De-Amalgamation Consideration

Snowy Valleys Council has resolved to seek a de-amalgamation of Snowy Valleys Council into two new councils based on the boundaries of the former councils subject to State funding.

A De-amalgamation Business Case was submitted to the Minister for Local Government on 5th September 2023. The submission included a copy of the University of Newcastle’s Report –Snowy Valleys Council - Evidence Regarding Advantages and Disadvantages of De-amalgamation and an overview summary.The Minsiter in turn referred the submission to the Local Government Boundaries Commission for examination.

In late May 2024 the Boundaries Commission held public hearings in Tumut and Tumbarumba where community members were able to present to the commission.

In December 2024 Council submitted a De-amalgamation Implementation Plan (DIP) and Financial Sustainability Plan (FSP) to the Boundaries Commission in support of its Business Case. Council appointed Peter Tegart, Always Thinking Advisory to assist in the preparation of the DIP and FSP.

De-amalgamation Implementation and Financial Sustainability Plan

Town Hall Community Meetings

Interested community members were invited to attend Town Hall Meetings held in Tumut, Tumbarumba, Talbingo and Khancoban in mid January 2025 to learn more about the De-amalgamation Implementation and Financial Sustainability Plan and the De-amalgamation process.

A copy of the presentation provided at those meetings is now available - SVC-Presentation-De-amalgamation-proposal-updated-FINAL-23012025.(PDF, 2MB)

Financial Sustainability Plans

Snowy Valleys Council Financial Sustainability Plan

At its 21 November 2024 Ordinary Meeting Councillors endorsed the Snowy Valleys Council Financial Sustainability Plan (FSP) and supported ‘In-Principal’ the implementation of Scenario 4 which includes the implementation of a Special Rating Variation of 32.4% (in addition to rate pegging) over 7 years.

Tumut and Tumbarumba Councils (Proposed Two New Councils) Financial Sustainability Plan

At its 12 December 2024 Ordinary Meeting Councillors endorsed the De-Amalgamation Implementation Plan (DIP) and Financial Sustainability Plan (FSP) to support the de-amalgamation of Snowy Valleys Coucnil and the creation of Tumut Council and Tumbarumba Council. And agreed to forward the documents to the Local Government Boundaries Commission and place them on public exhibition for community feedback.

Independent Business Case

On 18 August 2022 Council resolved to seek proposals for the preparation of a business case for the demerger of Snowy Valleys Council and the reinstatement of the former councils of Tumut and Tumbarumba subject to the Minister deciding to allow the demerger of Cootamundra Gundagai Regional Council.

Council appointed the University of Newcastle to prepare an independent business case capable of being submitted to the Minister for Local Government for de-amalgamation.

Report author and project lead, Professor Joseph Drew of the University of Newcastle engaged with representatives of key stakeholder groups, Councillors and Council in mid-February 2023,

Professo Drew then returned to the region to host community forums on the 27 and 28 April 2023.where he presented his draft findings, answered community questions, and gathered individual feedback to help inform the final business case. This was the community's opportunity to hear the evidence and have their say.

Completed De-amalgamation Business Case

The completed Business Case was presented to the 22 June 2023 Coucil meeting where Councillors resolved to receive the 'Snowy Valleys Council Evidence Regarding Advantages and Disadvantages of De-amalgamation' report and committed to pursuing de-amalgamation subject to State funding.

On 5 September 2023, Council forwarded the De-amalgamation Business Case to the Minister for Local Government who subsequently referred it to the NSW Local Government Boundaries Commission (LGBC) for examination.