THE POST/SUN, Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - Page 1
monaropost.com.au
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
BOMBALA SHOW CELEBRATES 150 YEARS PAGE 4
monaropost.com.au
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Local business booms
By NATHAN THOMPSON
COOMA business owners have largely reported strong trade over the Christmas and New Year period, welcoming the boost to the local economy after a tough few months. The region’s business owners and tourist accommodation providers say the holiday season has been busy with the Snowy Monaro again proving a popular tourist destination. The warmer weather has seen an increase in visitors and locals taking to the water. Molly Lloyd, manager at Your Outdoor Store Cooma, said trade has picked up and the holiday season has been well received. “There are lots of visitors about. Our New Year’s Eve was extremely busy,” Ms Lloyd said. “Lots of visitors are looking to get outdoors, particularly on the water.” Staff from the Cooma Visitors Centre and Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre have reported a busier than expected holiday period.
BUSY: The Snowy Hydro Discover Centre has welcomed an influx of visitors over the Christmas and New Year period. The Steets of Gippsland (far left) and their family from Switzerland, the Bells (far right) are welcomed to the centre by Snowy Hydro staff, Sarah Lynch, and Sally Connolly. PHOTO: Nathan Thompson
Council votes against submitting response
Minister set to issue performance improvement order By NATHAN THOMPSON AT an extraordinary meeting held just before Christmas, to decide if Snowy Monaro Regional Council would respond to a performance improvement order from the Local Government Minister, no formal motion was adopted. Council has been issued a
notice of intention to be placed on a performance improvement order by Minister Ron Hoenig following concerns over councillor conduct and the organisation’s financial viability. After extensive discussion during the meeting on December 23, a motion brought by Cr Andrew Thaler
to respond to the Minister’s recent correspondence was lost. Council itself will not be responding to the Minister’s notice. Cr Thaler proposed that Council reply to the minister making clear there is no disharmony in Council meetings and remind him of his obligations at ‘law, the right to the
presumption of innocence and protection of human rights’. Part of Cr Thaler’s motion related to allegations by Minister Hoenig who in correspondence with Council, referred to multiple incidents involving Cr Thaler. The Office of Local Government said it received 19 misconduct referrals/allegations against Cr Thaler during October and November. These have been reported by
councillors, Council staff and the community. Cr Thaler has refuted the allegations against him, saying they are ‘unproven’. Councillors Nick Elliott, Reuben Rose, Bob Stewart, Luke Williamson and Thaler voted in favour of the motion. Councillors Chris Hanna, Tricia Hopkins, Lynda Summers, John Rooney, Tanya Higgins, and Narelle Davis voted against.
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