Council advocacy plan focuses on partnership for growth and recovery
Published on 29 June 2020
Snowy Valleys Council has delivered its Advocacy Plan to all candidates running for election in the Federal bi-election for the seat Eden Monaro.
Council has recently revised and adopted its advocacy priorities in response to the social, economic and environmental impacts of bushfire and the current pandemic crisis.
Mayor James Hayes said the priorities had been developed based on Council’s recovery work in fire impacted communities, feedback from the Local Recovery Committees, as well as the Community Strategic Plan, Regional Economic Development Strategy and Asset renewal list.
“The projects have been identified based on their ability to provide short and long term benefit to all corners of the region,” said Mayor James Hayes.
14 projects have been highlighted based on their ability to provide economic stimulus and support for the re-establishment of those heavily impacted key industries considered to be the economic engines for the Snowy Valleys including forestry, agriculture and tourism.
“We are focused on presenting projects for funding that are ready to proceed should funding opportunities become available. There is also an emphasis on projects that are able to add value across the whole the community by creating jobs, using local people and businesses and investing locally so the money turns over in our local economy as quickly as possible,” said Mayor Hayes.
“There is no doubt the bushfires and the current COVID-19 pandemic has had, and will continue to have, a large impact on the communities, industries and economy of the Snowy Valleys.
“Council also recognises these events have impacted on government funding priorities. As a result of the review of projects we aim to be in a position to concentrate our advocacy efforts, meet those new priorities and ensure the delivery of investment in our community.
“The 14 priority projects, should they be realised, will contribute to ongoing economic and community prosperity through visitation, amenity, regional attractiveness, education, community recreation, safety and productivity improvement.”
They include:
- Brindabella Road safety upgrade – reconstruction and realignment between Piccadilly Circus and the Brindabella Valley
- Critical safety upgrades to intersections on Snowy Mountains Highway, including the Gocup Road intersection and the Batlow Road intersection
- Support for the reestablishment of softwood forest
- Support for the training and remobilisation of skilled and unskilled workers post fire and COVID-19
- Regional Trail Development – development of a Walking and Cycling Masterplan and Economic Business Case for the SVC Region
- Roadside vegetation clean up post fire
- Tumut Aerodrome improvements to increase emergency response capacity
- Wondalga Road/Greenhills Road intersection upgrade
- Caravan Park improvements – Accommodation and associated infrastructure at Batlow Caravan Park
- Recovery of costs for installation of displaced family (bushfire impacted) accommodation at Batlow Caravan Park (six 2-bedroom cabins)
- Recovery of additional site clean-up costs for the former Batlow Cannery site as a direct result of bushfire in response to impacts on public safety (friable asbestos)
- Trail Development (Walking and Cycling) - design and construction of world class trails network for Yarrangobilly and Talbingo Mountain as part of the SVC regional trail concept plan.
- Emergency Evacuation Centre and Tumut Basketball Centre – business case revision, design & construct
- Upgrade Riverglade Oval
"Our aim is to ensure that by providing this document, it will help the government, elected representatives, election candidates, government departments and agencies to better understand the important needs of our community, the economic challenges that the Snowy Valleys region is facing and ensure our service and infrastructure investment needs are supported now and into the future."
In addition to the 14 ‘flagship’ advocacy priorities, Council also adopted a broader list of 41 strategically important initiatives that can be drawn upon should a funding or lobbying opportunity arise.
“Council is aware that as time goes on priorities can change and we will be ready to engage on any new or emerging issues that impact our community and wider region,” said Mayor Hayes.
The Advocacy Plan can be viewed at www.svc.nsw.gov.au/strategies
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