Public notice of elector initiated boundary proposals

Elector initiated boundary proposals affecting Snowy Valleys Council and Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council

The Minister for Local Government received elector proposals that would affect boundaries in relation to Snowy Valleys Council and Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council.

The proposals were assessed by the Office of Local Government against relevant requirements under the Local Government Act and determined to be valid. This included confirming with the NSW Electoral Commission that signatories to the proposals were enrolled electors in the relevant areas.

In relation to Snowy Valleys Council, the proposal would effectively re-establish the area of the former Tumbarumba Shire local government area. It would reduce the local government area of Snowy Valleys Council so that it corresponds to the area of the former Tumut Shire Council.

In relation to Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council, the proposal would effectively re-establish the area of the former Gundagai Shire local government area. It would reduce the local government area of Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council so that it corresponds to the area of the former Cootamundra Shire Council.

As required under the Local Government Act, the Minister gave public notice of the proposals in December 2019 and January 2020 to allow affected electors and councils to make submissions.

In total 1,550 submissions were received in relation to both proposals.

In relation to Snowy Valleys, 533 submissions were received, with all but three generally in favour of the proposal being referred to the Local Government Boundaries Commission.

In relation to Cootamundra-Gundagai, 1,017 submissions were received, with all but two generally in favour of the proposal being referred to the Boundaries Commission.

The Minister considered all submissions and on 25 February 2020 formally referred the proposals to the Boundaries Commission for examination and report.

The Minister also directed the Boundaries Commission to hold a public inquiry as part of the process, allowing members of the community to attend local hearings and make submissions.

The Boundaries Commission, an independent statutory authority, will follow its own processes in accordance with the Local Government Act.

Under the Local Government Act the Boundaries Commission is required to have regard to 11 factors in examining the proposals including:

  • financial advantages/disadvantages
  • the community of interest and geographic cohesion
  • attitude of residents and ratepayers
  • requirements of the area concerned in relation to elected representation for residents and ratepayers at the local level
  • any impact on council operations and staff, and
  • any impact on rural communities in the areas concerned.

The Boundaries Commission will provide the Minister with statutory reports for her consideration before she decides whether to recommend implementation of the proposals to the Governor.

More information about the Boundaries Commission can be found here.

Further information about the proposals and processes can be found in the attached documents: