NSW · Snowy Mountains / Monaro · Local council, made simple
Snowy Monaro Regional Council
A large alpine and tablelands council on the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range — around 22,300 residents across Cooma, Jindabyne, Berridale, Bombala and dozens of villages, spread over one of NSW's biggest LGAs by area. It takes in Kosciuszko National Park and the Thredbo and Perisher ski resorts, so a large seasonal visitor population sits behind the resident figures. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, water and sewer, roads, planning — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
Final year of a multi-year special rate variation: +10.75% in 2026–27
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 5 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetySnowy Monaro's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
All 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Chris Hanna
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: 1300 345 345
Open →Region profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~22,300 across one of NSW's largest LGAs
Open →What's happening
3 updatesRecent items from Snowy Monaro Regional Council's public channels, in plain language.
- Policy
Draft 2026/27 budget and planning documents put on public exhibition
The council placed its draft suite of Integrated Planning and Reporting documents — including the 2026/27 Operational Plan, budget and fees and charges — on public exhibition for 28 days from 20 April 2026, with submissions closing 18 May 2026.
What this means for you: This is the council's annual plan for what it will spend and charge in 2026/27, including the final year of the multi-year special rate variation; residents could review the documents and make a submission during the exhibition period.
Source: Your Say Snowy Monaro — Draft IPR documents & 2026/27 Budget
- Development
Work begins on new Jindabyne sewer pump station
The council began construction of a new Jindabyne sewerage pump station (SPS6), part of the water and sewer upgrades supporting growth around Jindabyne and the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct.
What this means for you: Water and sewer capacity in Jindabyne is being expanded to support new housing and year-round tourism; residents near the works may see construction activity.
Source: Snowy Monaro Regional Council — Work begins on new Jindabyne sewer pump station
- Policy
Snowy Monaro 2042 Community Strategic Plan reviewed
The council reviewed its Snowy Monaro 2042 Community Strategic Plan — the region's highest-level long-term plan, first adopted in 2022 — incorporating feedback from community consultation.
What this means for you: The CSP sets the long-term priorities that guide the council's four-year Delivery Program and annual budgets; the review updated those priorities using community input.
Source: Your Say Snowy Monaro — Community Strategic Plan 2042 Review
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