The long weekend signalled the official start of the snow season with thousands taking advantage of the best early season snow in almost 20 years.

Last week, official snow depth measures taken at Spencers Creek indicated 71.3cm of snow was on the ground.

With so many visitors passing through our region, it’s pleasing to hear our cafes, restaurants and retail outlets were busy over the long weekend.

Thank you to the hundreds of residents who provided feedback on Council’s Planning and Land Use Discussion Paper. The paper was out for community consultation between February and April, and during this time, our Strategic Planning team facilitated drop-in sessions at 11 locations throughout the Snowy Monaro.

This feedback has been captured and is now presented in the Planning and Land Use Listening Paper. Following this important feedback, our community is asked to have their say on a number of core planning principles that will help shape a draft Snowy Monaro Settlements and Rural Land Use Strategy.

The Listening Paper is out for consultation until 6pm Monday 24 June. Copies can be found on Your Say Snowy Monaro, Bombala Library, Cooma Library and at any Council office. I’ve mentioned previously about workshops taking place to discuss the management of African Lovegrass in the Snowy Monaro. So far, these workshops have been well attended and many more people have had their say via online and hardcopy surveys.

There are two more workshops to go. The Michelago workshop will be held on Wednesday 12 June between 4:30pm and 7pm in the Community Hall, and the Dalgety workshop is scheduled for Tuesday 18 June between 5:30pm and 7pm in the supper room of the Buckley’s Crossing Hotel.

On Saturday, Cooma Scrapmart celebrated its 10th birthday. The buyback shop is located at the Cooma Landfill and in its 10 years, more than 54,000 paying customers have come through the doors. Well done to all involved with Cooma Scrapmart.

John Rooney Mayor of Snowy Monaro Regional Council