Recycle Right - Mayoral Column 17 July 2019

Recycle Right was the message launched by the Canberra Region Joint Organisation and its member councils last Tuesday. The campaign is designed to clear up any confusion and lead to better recycling practices.

I am pleased that we are taking part in this new campaign which is asking people to follow the six Recycle Right messages for using their yellow lid recycling bin; Keep it simple, Keep out soft plastics, Keep out small items, Keep it Safe, Keep it Clean and Keep it Loose.

If too heavily contaminated, recycling may be sent to landfill. Contaminated recycling is harder to sell on domestic and international markets, may contribute to stockpiling on-site and can create serious safety issues for staff. So let’s all Recycle Right!

Our next Council meeting is being held this week in Jindabyne, at the Jindabyne Memorial Hall from 5pm Thursday 18 July 2019. As always, the community is encouraged to attend, you can view the business papers via Council’s website.

Community consultation on the proposed rail trail will commence next week as our consultants Transplan Pty Ltd set out to engage with the community as part of the investigation for a feasibility study to see if a recreation trail for cyclists and hikers on the disused railway between Queanbeyan and Bombala.

There will be no formal presentations at these open house sessions. Instead, people are encouraged to drop in at a time which suits them to have a conversation about the project. The sessions will provide information about the project via a display and one-on-one conversations as well as providing an opportunity for community members to ask questions.

The dates and times of these sessions are: •Tuesday 23 July - 5.00pm – 7.00pm - Bombala (Bombala Community Centre) •Wednesday 24 July - 5.00pm – 7.00pm - Nimmitabel (Nimmitabel Community Centre) •Thursday 25 July 5.00pm – 7.00pm - Cooma (Cooma Library) •Friday 26 July 5.00pm – 7.00pm - Bredbo (Bredbo Community Hall) •Saturday 27 July 9.00am – 12.00 noon - Michelago (Michelago General Store)

Council has yet to determine whether it will proceed with the proposed trail. At the same time as the Rail Trail Feasibility Study is being undertaken, other consultants have been engaged by the State Government to determine whether it is practical and viable to return trains to this corridor and to extend the railway to Eden. The results of that study will have a major bearing on the feasibility of a trail on the disused railway corridor, which is owned by the State Government, not Council.

Next week Council will also be hosting public meetings on the water and sewer charges. Two sessions will be held on Wednesday 24 July, 10am at the Cooma Council Chambers and 2pm at the Jindabyne Memorial Hall. I encourage all customers and real estate agents to attend.

Councillor John Rooney Mayor of Snowy Monaro Regional Council