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EdenMonaro shake-up
By NATHAN THOMPSON
THE Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is proposing signi cant boundary changes to the federal seat of Eden-Monaro with the local government areas of Snowy Valleys and Yass to be removed from the electorate.
Proposed boundary changes were released by the AEC last week with feedback now being accepted by the Redistribution Committee for NSW.
Bumper season ahead
By TRISTA HEATH
THE winter season has nally begun a er both resorts received promising snow coverage over the past week.
At the time this masthead went to print, Thredbo Resort has received 18cm of snow and Perisher Resort received 26cm since Tuesday June 11, transforming both
mountains into a winter wonderland.
In addition to the natural snowfall, the temperatures have well and truly plummeted over the last week, creating ideal conditions for snowmaking operations to ramp up.
Thredbo’s snowmaking crew was able to re up the guns on several nights throughout the
week with their biggest night of snowmaking on Wednesday June 12 with a huge 173 snowguns ring for over 18 hours.
To celebrate their impressive coverage, Perisher Resort’s Village Eight Express Chairli made its season debut on Thursday June 13.
Ski and snowboard enthusiasts lined up bright and early on
Thursday to nab the rst chair of the season, hoping to also be amongst the lucky winners of some Perisher goodies while breaking through their o cial ‘First Chairli Opening’ banner. With more snow predicted and freezing temps for snowmaking, the resorts look forward to a bumper beginning for the 2024 winter snow season.
Eden-Monaro is slated to lose the towns of Tumut, Tumbarumba, Adelong, Talbingo and Yass, while picking up part of the seats of Hume and Gilmore.
Goulburn, Tarago and Tuross Head are planned to join Eden-Monaro.
Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain said the proposed redistribution presents a big change for the electorate.
“Last week’s proposed redistribution of electoral boundaries in NSW includes signicant changes to Eden-Monaro’s boundary,” Ms McBain said.
“While I am disappointed the Snowy Valleys and Yass Valley have been moved outside the Eden-Monaro electorate, I am looking forward to getting to know people in the new areas of Goulburn, Tarago, Tuross Head, Tallong, and Marulan to gain an understanding of how I can best represent them in Canberra.
■ Read more on page 2
SEASON BEGINS: Perisher Resort opens the Village Eight Express Chairlift to its guests after receiving an impressive snowfall last week.
PHOTO: Perisher Media
Boundary changes shake-up Eden-Monaro
By NATHAN THOMPSON
PROPOSED boundary changes to the federal seat of Eden-Monaro would see Tumut and Yass leave the electorate, while Goulburn and Tuross Head would join the reworked seat.
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has released proposed boundary changes for federal electoral divisions in NSW.
The changes would see a sizeable shake-up for EdenMonaro, currently held by Labor’s Kristy McBain.
Ms McBain said she will miss working with communities in the Snowy Valleys and Yass local government area. Ms McBain said she welcomes the possible inclusion of Goulburn-Mulwaree Council and a section of the Gilmore electorate.
“While I am disappointed the Snowy Valleys and Yass Valley have been moved outside the Eden-Monaro electorate, I am looking forward to getting to know people in the new areas of Goulburn, Tarago, Tuross Head, Tallong, and Marulan to gain an understanding of how I can best represent them in Canberra,” Ms McBain said.
“I have a strong track record in working with anyone to achieve positive results, and this redistribution is no di erent. I will continue to work hard for everyone in the Mighty Eden-Monaro.”
Eden-Monaro is set to take in part of Assistant Treasurer and Member for Hume Angus Taylor’s seat
The Chair of the Committee and Electoral Commissioner, Tom Rogers, said the NSW redistribution was required to enable a decrease from 47 to 46 electoral divisions.
“Under the proposal some signi cant changes would occur, with the boundaries of New South Wales divisions being amended to accommodate the decrease,” Mr Rogers said.
“Forty- ve of the existing 47 division names would be retained.”
Mr Rogers said the Redistribution Committee had been faced with a situation where a New South Wales division had to be abolished and, as a consequence, 40 of the existing 47 divisions were outside the permissible numerical requirements.
The AEC said in its bound-
yards discussed
SNOWY Monaro Regional Council will consider the future use of the Bombala livestock yards at this week’s ordinary meeting.
The report before Council recommends Council terminate its expression of interest process and continue to operate the facility as a transit yard operation.
The recommendation calls for the adopted fees and charges to be applied to all users to ensure that income is generated to enable on-going maintenance.
CHANGES: Federal Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain, says she will miss working with communities in Yass and Snowy Valleys local government areas if the AEC’s proposed electoral boundaries come into e ect.
PHOTO: Supplied
ary changes report that ‘the e ect of this proposed change is that the proposed Division of Eden-Monaro is required to gain more electors than at the commencement of the redistribution’.
The Redistribution Committee proposes addressing this issue by transferring electors to the proposed Division of Eden-Monaro
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Turlinjah, and that portion of the locality of Tuross Head located to the south of Coila Lake, and 23,930 projected electors from the Division of Hume - the Goul-
Community members can provide feedback to the AEC on the proposed
The new boundaries would come into e ect for the next federal election, due in 2025.
All of the Snowy Monaro local government area remains in Eden-Monaro.
There has been plenty of discussion relating to the future of the yards following a Council recommendation to cease operating the facility.
Councillors Bob Stewart and Narelle Davis led calls for the livestock yards to remain in use, citing their importance to the region’s agricultural industry. Council is expected to adopt the recommendation.
Domestic violence in spotlight
LOCALS
TEAM-UP TO RAISE AWARENESS
By ALPINE UNITING CHURCH
JINDABYNE
Uniting
Church and Op Shop hope their ‘Say NO to Violence
Morning Tea’ on Saturday June 22 will help raise local awareness and promote conversations about Domestic and Family Violence (DFV).
With an average of one woman a week killed in Australia by a current or former intimate partner, anger and heartbreak are spreading.
The media in recent years has covered numerous stories about DFV and its victims, but in many communities there is still a belief that it is not a local issue.
In fact, say church members who recently participated in an awarenessraising session, domestic violence is not a private matter; it’s a community matter.
The community needs to educate itself to properly understand why some are calling it Australia’s greatest shame.
Costing Australia over $22 billion each year, domestic and family violence, they point out, occurs in all walks of life, regardless of socioeconomic status, race, age, religion, culture and sexual
orientation.
It’s any violent or threatening behaviour, or any other form of behaviour that coerces or controls a family member or causes that family member to be fearful.
Victims can be a ected directly or indirectly and an individual can be a perpetrator and a victim at the same time in a family situation.
Overwhelmingly, however, evidence shows that domestic and family violence is gender-based and has far-reaching nancial, social and health related consequences for women who experience it.
Similarly, there can be lifelong mental, emotional and social impact on children who are subjected to or witness domestic violence and abuse.
Recent evidence shows that one in four Australian women have experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or former intimate partner since age 15, and one in four have experienced emotional abuse by a current or former partner.
Almost 10 women a day are hospitalised for assault injuries perpetrated by a spouse or domestic partner.
Intimate partner violence
is the third greatest health risk factor for women aged 25-44, with the rst being childhood abuse and neglect.
Women who experience partner violence during pregnancy are three times as likely to experience depression.
Most people are aware of the physical and sexual violence against a spouse or partner that is leading to so much loss of life in Australia, but many are unaware of the other kinds of abuse that victims su er, o en silently.
Verbal, emotional or psychological abuse humiliates and makes someone feel they have no worth.
Spiritual, nancial and social abuse can control someone’s movements and their involvement in normal community life.
Increasingly, technology is used to keep surveillance over a partner to stalk, harass, intimidate or humiliate them.
In Australia, women in rural and remote communities, young women, and pregnant women are more vulnerable to domestic and family violence.
Other vulnerable groups include women with dis-
ability and mental ill-health, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and people who identify as LGBTQI.
It is becoming clear that Domestic or Family Violence is becoming a leading driver of homelessness for women and is having devastating e ects on survivors, their families, friends and our wider society.
The Jindabyne Uniting Church and Op Shop endorses the Uniting Church in Australia’s statement that every woman has the right to be safe in her relationships, as does every man.
Every child in Australia has the right to feel safe in their own homes.
The church says its commitment ‘grows out of our understanding that the way of Jesus calls us to shape relationships of respect, equality and mutuality in which women, men and children can ourish. We are committed to support and resource the work that is needed for all people to be safe in their own homes and in their relationships.’
All funds raised through their Morning Tea will go
to the Monaro Community Access Service (MCAS) and Mission Australia,for their local work in supporting victims and survivors of Domestic and Family Violence.
The church thanks the Jindabyne Seniors and CWA for the support they are o ering and invites others to share in ‘stopping the silence and getting beyond the violence.’ Come along this Saturdayto help raise DVF awareness.
AWARENESS: Jindabyne Uniting Church and Op Shop gather to raise funds for Domestic and Family Violence in the LGA. PHOTO: Supplied.
Australia Post called to deliver
access improvements
By NATHAN THOMPSON
SNOWY Monaro Regional
Councillor Narelle Davis is calling on Australia Post to improve the all-ability access to the Cooma Post O ce, saying the current setup fails the digni ed access component of the Disability Discrimination ACT 1992.
Councillor Davis will put forward a notice of motion at this week’s ordinary meeting, seeking the support of Council to write to Member for Eden Monaro, Kristy McBain, and Communications Minister Michelle Rowland to lobby Australia Post to install ‘appropriate’ allability access.
All-ability access to the
Cooma Post O ce, on the corner of Vale and Massie streets, is through the rear of the building.
Access requires ringing a bell for a sta member to assist the person through the post o ce’s working area and into the customer service area of the facility.
Councillor Davis says her motion supports action 2.13 in the dra Snowy Monaro Regional Council Disability Inclusion Strategy – ‘to advocate on behalf of the community to address issues in private and non-Council premises, including as a priority health services, shops, post o ces and cinemas’.
“The Australia Post Cooma building does not provide ap-
propriate all ability access to essential postal services, government services and banking services,” Cr Davis said.
“There are 13 steep steps to negotiate to the front entry of the building from the pathway on Vale Street.
“The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 requires that any building for public use must have ‘digni ed access’ for the disabled. There is nothing digni ed about the access to the rear of this building as it is essentially a driveway for delivery vehicles.”
Councillor Davis said Australia Post has been made aware of the issue by multiple community members over a number of years.
Australia Post says its commitment on access to its properties and those of its operators is set out in the or-
Cloud seeding paused
SNOWY Hydro will pause its cloud seeding operations this winter with a review of the program to occur.
Snowy Hydro said it has been conducting a successful cloud seeding program to enhance snowfall over the Snowy Mountains during suitable conditions in the cold months, increasing the amount of water available when the snow
melts in spring to produce clean, renewable energy.
“Our cloud seeding program is backed by extensive scienti c research, independent review and stringent environmental regulation,” a Snowy Hydro spokesperson said.
“Our cloud seeding infrastructure is approaching end of life and requires upgrading or replacement.
Meanwhile, the cost of resourcing the program and meeting regulatory obligations is increasing.
“During the break in operations in 2024 we will undertake a comprehensive assessment of the program, its ongoing return on investment and the resourcing requirements for cloud seeding to continue.
“We will provide another update prior to winter 2025.”
The organisation says it accessible and promote the application of Design for Dignity
across the post o ce network.
Man’s body located
A BODY has been located during the search for a man missing from the Cooma area.
The 56-year-old man was last heard from on Tuesday June 10.
When he was unable to be located or contacted, o cers attached to Monaro Police District were noti ed and commenced inquiries into his whereabouts.
During an extensive search
for the man, the body of a man was located at Bombala about 12.15pm Sunday June 16.
While the body is yet to be formally identi ed, it is believed to be that of the missing man.
Initial inquiries indicate there are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
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ACCESS CALLS: Snowy Monaro Regional Councillor Narelle Davis is urging Council to support her notice of motion for Australia Post to upgrade the all-ability access of the Cooma Post O ice.
PHOTO: Nathan Thompson
Snowy Monaro firefighters issue warning as colder months set in
By TRISTA HEATH
FOR winter 2024, Fire Rescue NSW is pushing for everyone to ‘Be Fire Safe this Winter’.
Being re safe means checking smoke alarms, having an escape plan in place, keep looking when cooking, understanding Lithium-ion battery charging, clearance around heaters and proper use and storage of electric blankets.
Local Fire and Rescue NSW stations are emphasising the critical role smoke alarms play in safeguarding lives and properties, particularly when res occur during sleeping hours or in isolated areas of the home, such as the chimney.
Deputy Captain at Cooma 263 station Nick Moon urges all residents to regularly check and maintain their smoke alarms to ensure they are in proper working condition.
“A simple check of your smoke alarm using the below steps can save lives,”
Deputy Captain Moon said.
“Test that your smoke alarm/s are working. If not, change the batteries or replace the alarm.
“Check the smoke alarm is in date. Smoke alarms
have a lifespan of ten years. “Give the smoke alarm a vacuum, if you haven’t done so in the last six months, to remove dust and any insects.”
All re rescue stations in the Snowy Monaro o er free home re safety visits where re ghters will check if there are working smoke alarms, that they are in good working condition, and are installed in suitable areas.
A home re safety checklist can also be provided for homeowners to conduct
their own checks.
“For residents without a working smoke alarm, we will install a long-life battery-powered smoke alarm as well as replace existing smoke alarm batteries all at no cost to you. We will also go over an escape plan with you, talk about heaters and wood res and discuss proper charging techniques when it comes to Lithiumion batteries as we are seeing these become a major re risk all throughout the state if used incorrectly” Deputy Captain Moon said.
aged battery and to follow the simple steps below:
- Do not charge batteries when sleeping or not at home. Once the device has a full battery, disconnect it from the charger.
If you would like to arrange a free home re safety visit, contact the Fire Rescue NSW station nearest to you - Cooma 02 6453 4763, Bombala 02 6453 4730 and Jindabyne 02 6453 4738. Deputy Captain Moon re-
iterated that a damaged or failing Lithium-ion battery can explode, releasing highly toxic fumes that could result in a re. These res are extremely hard to put out so is reminding all residents to never use or charge a dam-
- Make sure a smoke alarm or heat alarm is working in rooms where batteries are charged or stored.
- Charge batteries on hard surfaces that can’t catch on re like concrete oors or tiles. Don’t charge them on surfaces like beds, sofas, or
- Large batteries like the ones used in e-scooters, e-bikes, and power-tools, should only be charged in the garage, shed or carport, away from living spaces and
- Some other simple steps you can take to prevent a re at home this winter in-
- Never leave cooking unattended and always keep looking when cooking
- Keep everything furnishing, curtains, clothing one metre away from the heater. Ensure ues and chimneys are regularly cleaned. Turn o electric blankets at night
- Do not leave outdoor heating and cooking equipment unsupervised.
STAY SAFE: Deputy Captain at Cooma 263 station Nick Moon and Cooma Firefighter Shane Hartas warn residents not to leave heaters unattended this winter season.
PHOTOS: Trista Heath
Patient care enhanced through new equipment
By NATHAN THOMPSON
COOMA Hospital and Health Service patients will now have access to a specialised seating chair and improved gym equipment following almost $20,000 funding from Snowy Hydro.
The chair, valued at about $9000, will support higher care patients with conditions such as such as stroke, dementia, palliative care andneurodegenerative disorders.
The new chair will be used in the general ward, and according to Milly Crawford, Occupational Therapist Monaro Network, will be put to use straight away.
“We can have the new chair here in a few days and it will make a big di erence for patients,” Ms Crawford said.
“The chair o ers a solution that bene ts the community by providing a seating option on our ward, reducing the need for patients’ families or carers to source a chair to support the patient during their stay.”
The Snowy Hydro funding will also see the Cooma Hospital and Health Service upgrade part of its gym equipment. The service said the funding will see equipment, some 20-years old, replaced.
Local groups share $200K Snowy fund
THIRTY local community groups will bene t from $204,000 in funding through round one of Snowy Hydro’s 2024 Community Grants Program.
This round attracted a record number of applications, with 89 submissions, highlighting the demand for funding within the local community.
The successful applications highlight the diversity of the Snowy Mountains region and the range of great initiatives and ideas generated by local community groups.
align with Snowy Hydro’s four community commitment pillars: education and development, health and wellbeing, regional capacity building, and the environment.
Snowy Hydro CEO Dennis Barnes emphasised the importance of the Community Grants Program in supporting local initiatives.
“The Snowy Hydro Community Grants Program is essential to our commitment to fostering vibrant, resilient communities,” Mr Barnes said.
to accept $17,500 in equipment funding. Back row - Jessica Jamieson, Head of Department Occupational Therapy; Jo Caldwell, Deputy Director Nursing and Midwifery Cooma Hospital and Health Service; and Dean Lynch, Snowy Hydro Relations Manager. Front - Kylie Williams, Acting Site Manager/Director Nursing and Midwifery Cooma Hospital and Health Service; Milly Crawford, Occupational Therapist; and Hilary Keighley, Head of Department for Physiotherapy Monaro Network.
New bikes, weights machines, a punching bag and blaze pods balancing equipment will soon be available for patients.
“Our community is ageing and this equipment will be very helpful,” Hilary Keighley, Head of Department for Physiotherapy Monaro.
“The new gym equipment will bene t out cardio groups,
osteo groups, and out-patients.
“These are items we wouldn’t have been able to budget for in the short-term, so the Snowy funding is very welcomed.”
Snowy Hydro Relations Manager Dean Lynch said the organisation is pleased to support the Cooma Hospital and Health Service.
PHOTO: Nathan Thompson
“There’s three grants from our recent community grants program that are going to the Cooma Hospital and Health Service. We are proud to support local health initiatives,” Mr Lynch said.
“We are pleased to work with the sta to help deliver funding that will make an immediate di erence.”
These include local events that foster community spirit, race meets to support local community fundraising, equipment for health services and respite housing that enhances well-being, tourism signage to boost the local economy, tree-planting activities that preserve our environment, and solar installations that promote sustainable development.
All these projects
“By funding these projects, we are helping to build stronger local connections, enhance community health and wellbeing, and promote sustainable development across the region.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact these grants have on our community.”
The next round of the Community Grants Program will open in September 2024.
Upset over Cobbon Crescent DA
By TRISTA HEATH
A DEVELOPMENT application put forward for a new 35 dwelling lot in Cobbon Crescent, Jindabyne is causing angst amongst neighbouring residents.
The subject site is 2.399 hectares in size and predominantly occupied by a large pine plantation, estimated to be over 500 large trees.
The proposal, that is still on public exhibition is for a concept designed master planned community that is categorised as a ‘multidwelling housing’ development comprising 35 detached and townhouse style dwellings.
The development is marketed as ‘Jindabyne Lakeside’ and the proposed dwellings principally comprise of townhouses with eight di erent types of dwellings ranging from one bedroom dwellings to three bedroom dwellings, providing a large variety of housing.
Cobbon Crescent resident, Katrina Woods said she is
what that will mean for the residents in and those close by.
“The development will require the entire pine forest to be destroyed and removed as these are considered not a natural species to Australia even though that forest has been there longer than most in Jindabyne,” Ms Woods said.
“Many of these townhouses will be over the normal height limits for the town and located only ve metres from adjoining residential buildings cutting o views
rect viewing access into our properties.
“The tra c submissions they have stated are grossly underestimated with it already di cult turning from Banjo Patterson Crescent onto the main road during the winter months.
“I am obviously extremely concerned how this development will a ect the connecting properties, the loss of the forest and of course what it will mean for our mountain bike riders that ride through this area daily.”
The proposal is a Staged
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being the removal of nonnative vegetation comprising principally of the pine forest as well as the formation of access for logging trucks and services.
The other stages incorporated into the concept design include Stages 2 and 3, comprising of the multi-dwelling housing development and its 35 dwellings.
In 2019, Snowy Hydro Ltd sold the land as part of a public Expression of Interest process to Roderick van Beelen of RJVB Finance Pty Ltd, the applicant has spent
ward this DA to Council.
An online petition against the DA called ‘save our pinoland pine trees’ was started by Cobbon Crescent residents with a goal of 500 signatures to take to Council during the exhibition period.
The petition states that although we recognise growth is crucial to progress the township of Jindabyne and are aware of extensive developments already constructed or planned for Jindabyne’s proposed growth areas, the removal
of The Pines to make way for 35 density town houses is not in keeping with the undeveloped, natural surrounds of Poo Bay.
“We need to preserve this environmental and culturally signi cant resource for generations to come.” The petition said.
The demand for housing in Jindabyne is complex as it is driven by the growth in its permanent resident population, seasonal workers, and tourism growth.
The Census data for 2006, 2011, 2016 and 2021 provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics states the population for Jindabyne, postcode 2627, in 2006 was 3,474 and by 2021 it had risen to 5263, this represents a 51 percent increase over the last 15 years.
With already several residential developments taking place in Jindabyne today, residents are concerned that over-development will see less and less green space for a town that was once so enriched with greenery.
The exhibition period closes on June 19 and the submission period closes on June 26.
The Monaro Media Group attempted to contact the development applicants with no success in recieving a response before print deadline.
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Historic auction raises $258k
NUMBER ONE PERISHER CHAIR SELLS
FOR $7000
By KAREN FORMAN
WHEN it comes to sport, everybody wants to be or have number one. There is something about nishing rst, or having number one pinned on your race out t, that is incredibly desirable.
If you can call a lively auction of historic chairli s ‘sport’, then the same applied when Perisher resort auctioned o its historic Mt Perisher double chairli s on the opening weekend of the 2024 snow season.
It was the number one chair that was rst to be offered for sale and it was the number one chair that attracted the highest bid, with the old timber and metal structure selling for $7000.
The live auction - attended by a huge crowd of hundreds of potential bidders and interested onlookers in the Ski Tube Terminal at the resort - raised $176,000, with more funds trickling in last week as the 31 remaining chairs were sold in a silent online auction, mostly for around $3000 each, bringing the total of funds raised to around $260,000 as this masthead went to press.
Next most popular chair was number 42 which sold for $5900 followed by number two at $5600, number 69 at $5400 , number 26 at $5300, then numbers nine, 10, 12, 14, 80 at $5000. The rest sold in the $4000’s.
Why would someone pay so much for an ageing piece of metal and wood?
“It is the memories,” one buyer, who did not wish to be named, said. “I have memories of riding these chairs with my parents as a kid. I was always petri ed because it felt so steep and it seemed to take so long to get to the top, but the runs down were always worth it. We used to have great conversations on the way up the hill. O en in bad weather I would be cold and wet but I loved skiing down with my parents.”
The buyer said she planned to place the chair in her garden.
Perisher announced the decommissioning earlier this year of what was its rst ever chairli to make way for the construction of a new, high speed, six-seater chair, the Mt Perisher 6. The new chair is expected
• 24/7 Access with
• Sizes from small to extra-large units
• Shipping containers
to be completed for the 2025 winter season.
Opened in 1961, the iconic ‘Mt P double’ carried six decades-worth of skiers (and later snowboarders) up Mt Perisher.
Before it was built, the area was serviced by t-Bars and rope tows.
Perisher Historical Society records show the construction of the Mt P Double was ‘Spurred on by the appetite for longer runs and the interest to open up new skiing
The Chair’s construction represented a major step forward in Australian skiing. In the winter of 1960, potential ski areas in the lee of Mt. Perisher and Back Perisher Mountain were surveyed to identify the degree of skiing di culty and snow depth. It was Mt Perisher which received the go ahead to build the two-seater chairli which would go on to service the area for over 60 seasons.
vis’ memoir A History of the Early Development of Perisher-Smiggins’ describes the construction of the li by ‘bare hands’: ‘All the time the workers were running up the slope carrying all sorts of loads, running not walking. The Perisher locals were trans xed by their tness and progress’.
A er tackling early season snowfalls, torrential downpours, and gale force winds all while building by hand,
the ‘Mile Long Chairli ’ was completed in time for the 1961 snow season. Li operations commenced on June 9 opening up new terrain and possibilities to skiers of all levels.
A year a er Vail Resort’s acquisition of Perisher in 2016 the Mt P Double’s original chairs were replaced. The original chairs were stored and kept, awaiting the day their legacy could live on in the homes of Perisher enthusiasts.
Perisher VP General Manager Nathan Butterworth with a couple of young fans at the auction of the Mt Perisher double chairli s.
PHOTO: Karen Forman