De-Amalgamation Consideration

Council resolved to seek a de-amalgamation of Snowy Valleys Council into two new councils based on the boundaries of the former councils, Tumut and Tumbarumba.

  • Council has been following the demerger pathway made possible by legislation introduced and passed by the state Government in 2024.
  • A business case for de-amalgamation was developed and referred to the Boundaries Commission. The Commission then asked Council for more detail to outline financial impacts (including increases to rates), long term strategic plans, and the capacity of the new councils to deliver services.
  • Following the reciept of this information, the Boundaries Commission then recommended to the Minister for Local Government that Council’s de-amalgamation proposal, including its implementation plan and financial sustainability plan, be supported.
  • The Minister accepted this recommendation and gave his support for Council to hold a constitutional referendum for the community to vote on the question of de-amalgamation.
  • The Snowy Valleys De-amalgamation Referendum was held on Saturday 29 November 2025 with early counting showing a Yes vote has been delivered. The official result will be confirmed by the Returning Officer on 16 December 2025.  For more information on the Referendum vist the NSW Electoral Commission's website

  • Council will be seeking guidance from the Office of Local Government on next steps, responsibilities, and indicative timelines once the Minister has made his determination.

DE-AMALGAMATION INFORMATION

De-amalgamation Flow Chart(PDF, 87KB)

Financial Sustainability Plans

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

 

Independent Business Case

 

Town Hall Community Meeting Presentation

 SVC-Presentation-De-amalgamation-proposal-updated-FINAL-23012025.(PDF, 2MB)

 

Referendum Fact Sheets

De-amalgamation-Referendum-Fact-Sheet-Final-Authorised(PDF, 1MB)

De-amalgamation-Referendum-Frequently-Asked-Questions-Flyer(PDF, 3MB)

De-amalgamation Application Timeline

  • August 2022 - Council resolves 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.
  • November 2022 - Council appoints the University of Newcastle to prepare an independent business case capable of being submitted to the Minister for Local Government for de-amalgamation.
  • February 2023 - Report author and project lead, Professor Joseph Drew of the University of Newcastle, engages with representatives of key stakeholder groups, Councillors and Council staff.
  • April 2023  - Professor Drew returns to the region to host community forums where he presents his draft findings, answers community questions, and gathers individual feedback to help inform the final business case. This was the community's opportunity to hear the evidence and have their say.
  • June 2023 - The completed Business Case is presented to Council and Councillors resolved to receive the 'Snowy Valleys Council Evidence Regarding Advantages and Disadvantages of De-amalgamation' report and commit to pursuing de-amalgamation subject to State funding.
  • September 2023 - Council forwards the De-amalgamation Business Case to the Minister for Local Government, who subsequently refers it to the NSW Local Government Boundaries Commission (LGBC) for examination.
  • April 2024 - Council appoints Peter Tegart, Always Thinking Advisory, to assist in the preparation of a De-Amalgamation Implementation Plan (DIP) and a Financial Sustainability Plan (FSP).
  • May 2024 - the Local Government Amendment (De-amalgamations) Bill 2024 is passed, providing a mechanism for the Government to contribute to funding the costs of demergers incurred by councils.
  • May 2024 – Council holds community information sessions to provide updates on the de-amalgamation proposal and share information on how to participate in the Boundaries Commission’s process.
  •  May 2024 - The Boundaries Commission holds public hearings in Tumut and Tumbarumba, where community members were able to present to the commission.
  • November 2024 - Councillors endorse the Snowy Valleys Council Financial Sustainability Plan (FSP) and support ‘in principle’, 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.
  • December 2024 - Councillors endorse the De-Amalgamation Implementation Plan (DIP) and Financial Sustainability Plan (FSP) and agree to forward the documents to the Local Government Boundaries Commission and place them on public exhibition for community feedback.
  • January 2025 - Town Hall Meetings held in Tumut, Tumbarumba, Talbingo and Khancoban to let the community learn more about the De-amalgamation Implementation and Financial Sustainability Plan and the De-amalgamation process.
  • August 2025 - Minister Gives Support for De-Amalgamation Referendum
  • November 2025 - De-amalgamation Referendum held with majority voting 'Yes' to the question: Should the Snowy Valleys be de-amalgamated and the Tumut Shire and Tumbarumba be re-constituted as separate local government areas?’ 

     

Media Releases/News

 

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