Community Looks Towards 2042
Published on 14 March 2024
Over the past four weeks community members from across the region have joined workshops to review the current Snowy Valleys Community Strategic Plan.
Snowy Valleys Council held the workshops in Adelong, Batlow, Khancoban, Talbingo, Tumut, and Tumbarumba during February and early March.
Community feedback was collected under three main themes: ‘Where are we now’; ‘Where do we want to be in 10 years’; and ‘Are we on track’.
Discussions were had about what makes the Snowy Valleys a great place to live and the main challenges facing the region.
Initiatives from other areas that could work well locally were debated, as were the services and projects that the Council should be prioritising and/or lobbying other levels of government for.
Each workshop concluded with identifying the key things communities would like to see achieved within the next 10 years and a review and rating of the current Community Strategic Plan’s Vision Statement.
Key responses to what made the community a great place to live included: a sense of community, open spaces, art and sculpture trails, outdoor activities, diverse natural environments, local business/tourism operators, bike trails, pristine rivers and lakes and country vibes.
The region's challenges were identified to include: a lack of available housing and land zoned for building; the need for better telco services; gaps in services for the elderly and youth; a shortage of skilled workers; council’s financial instability; increased crime and vandalism; availability of general health services; and main street declines.
As part of the community engagement program, an online survey has also been running over the last eight weeks.
More than one hundred people have so far taken part in the 15minute survey, which poses similar questions to those discussed in the workshops.
While the Council has a custodial role in initiating and preparing the Community Strategic Plan, it is a community plan. Everyone is encouraged to share what they, friends, family, and the wider community might need to grow and thrive into the future.
To get involved and take the Towards2042 Survey visit www.svc.nsw.gov.au/towards-2042
The survey is open until Friday 22 March and hard copies are available at council libraries and customer service counters.
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