NSW · Riverina / Snowy Mountains · Local council, made simple
Snowy Valleys Council
A large rural council in the Riverina and Snowy Mountains — around 15,000 people across Tumut, Tumbarumba, Adelong, Batlow and the surrounding villages, built on timber/forestry, agriculture (Batlow apples) and Snowy Hydro. The council runs the local services you use every week — waste, roads, water, parks, development — and sets your rates. Formed by a 2016 merger, it is now being de-amalgamated back into separate Tumut and Tumbarumba councils. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Open for your feedback
See all →Things Snowy Valleys Council wants your say on right now. Your view counts for more before the deadline.
- Open — see source for the closing date
Draft Procurement, Investment and Borrowing Policies
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
Transition To De-Amalgamation
Have your say → - Open — see source for the closing date
Adelong Creek Riparian Stabilisation Work
Have your say →
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.
2025–26 rate peg: 4.3%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 6 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetySnowy Valleys' recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
5 of 12 major offences below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Julia Ham (Independent)
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 275 782
Open →Council profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~14,955 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
17 updatesAuto-collected from Snowy Valleys Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Policy
Fluoride Dosing Restored To Batlow Town Water Supply
Published on 11 September 2026 Batlow’s town water supply is once again receiving fluoride dosing following the successful repair of a fault that had temporarily taken the fluoridation system offline.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Multipurpose Centre Opens to the Public
Published on 26 August 2026 Snowy Valleys Council and appointed venue operator LeisureSafe will welcome the community into the completed Multipurpose and Evacuation Centre (MEC) for the first time at a free Community Open Day on Thursday 3 September.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Free Caravan and Vehicle Weigh Days Return to Snowy Valleys
Published on 31 August 2026 Following the strong response to our last caravan weigh days, Snowy Valleys Council is giving local caravan owners another chance to get their vehicles checked for free.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Snowy Valleys Looks Beyond Snowy Hydro Construction Boom
Published on 20 August 2026 Snowy Valleys Council, local business leaders and Snowy Hydro have reaffirmed their commitment to ongoing collaboration as Council considers the regionʼs economic transition beyond the Snowy 2. 0 construction boom.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Boil Water Notice For Batlow
Published on 18 August 2026 Batlow residents are advised to boil their tap water used for drinking or to use bottled water until further notice due to a treatment plant process failure. Council advises water with low chlorine levels has been supplied into the water network due to a treatment plant equipment failure.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Snowy Valleys Council’s MEC Project Nearing Completion
Published on 13 August 2026 The new Multipurpose and Evacuation Centre (MEC) at Richmond Park, Tumut, is nearing completion, with the major construction project now entering its final stages.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Nominations Open for 2027 Australia Day Awards
Published on 13 August 2026 Nominations are now open for the 2027 Snowy Valleys Australia Day Awards, recognising the outstanding individuals, groups and organisations that make a difference across our communities.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
New Equipment to Boost Snowy Valleys Council's FOGO Operations
Published on 07 August 2026 Snowy Valleys Council's Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) composting facility has received a major boost with the addition of a new tractor and mulcher.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Batlow Boil Water Notice Lifted – 21 August 2026 – 4.30pm
Published on 21 August 2026 The Boil Water notice that has been in place from 18 August 2026 in Batlow has now been lifted in consultation with NSW Health. Water in the Batlow reticulation is now safe to drink without boiling.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Draft Procurement, Investment and Borrowing Policies
Council's Procurement Policy, Investment Policy and Borrowing Policy have been reviewed and updated to ensure they remain current, fit for purpose and aligned with Council's financial governance responsibilities. Draft Procurement Policy - establishes the principles and controls for Council's purchasing, tendering, contract management and disposal activities.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Draft External Grant Funding Policy
External Funding and Grants can assist Council to meet the needs of the community through the funding of capital or operating projects. However, they also have ongoing resource and operational implications for Council that must be taken into consideration before applying for a Grant or accepting External Funding.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Draft Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2026-2028
The Draft Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2026-2028 (Innovate RAP) has been developed to assist Council to continuously develop and strengthen reconciliation commitments with the First Nations Peoples.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Have your say
Transition To De-Amalgamation
The Snowy Valleys De-amalgamation Referendum was held on Saturday, 29 November 2025 with a definitive Yes vote being delivered by the community to reinstate two new councils based on the boundaries of the former Tumut (Northern) and Tumbarumba (Southern) Local Government Areas.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Chief Transition Officer appointed to lead de-amalgamation
Nicole Jenkins was named as Snowy Valleys Council's inaugural Chief Transition Officer, commencing in April 2026 to lead the organisational split that will re-establish the Tumut and Tumbarumba areas as separate councils.
What this means for you: A dedicated officer is now responsible for planning the split — budgets, staffing and services — ahead of the two new councils expected on 1 July 2028. The NSW Government has made a $5 million grant available to help cover an estimated $4.8 million transition cost.
Source: Region Riverina — Snowy Valleys names transition chief
- Have your say
Adelong Creek Riparian Stabilisation Work
Council secured funding from the NSW Severe Weather and Flood Grant, provided by the NSW Office of Local Government, to clear debris along Adelong Creek's public recreation areas and to design and repair the creek bank, reducing erosion and protecting native wildlife habitats.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
- Policy
Residents vote to de-amalgamate Snowy Valleys Council
At a November 2025 constitutional referendum, 87.28% of voters supported de-amalgamating Snowy Valleys Council back into the former Tumut Shire and Tumbarumba Shire, reversing the 2016 merger.
What this means for you: The council area is set to be split back into two councils. The NSW Local Government Boundaries Commission recommended the split and the Minister accepted it; the two new councils are expected to be formally established on 1 July 2028.
Source: NSW Government — support to hold referendum on de-amalgamation
- Policy
IPART refuses Snowy Valleys' special rate variation application
IPART refused Snowy Valleys Council's 2024–25 special rate variation application, which had sought to raise general income by a cumulative 42.38% over three years. The standard rate peg applied instead.
What this means for you: The proposed above-peg rate increases did not proceed. IPART found the council had not demonstrated a financial need or that the impact on ratepayers was reasonable; the determination is linked below.
Source: IPART — Snowy Valleys Special Variation Application 2024–25
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We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Snowy Valleys Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.