Residents and landholders in the wider Cooma district are advised that WaterNSW has lifted the blue-green algae alert issued on Tuesday May 13, 2025 for the Murrumbidgee River at Mittagang Crossing outside of Cooma.
Regular usage and utilisation from this segment of the Murrumbidgee River can now resume.
Frequent testing and sampling of the river water has been performed during the period the alert has been in effect. WaterNSW are satisfied that algae levels have returned to their usual safe level and the alert should be lifted.
WaterNSW maintains free resources to help the public stay informed of important information about their local waterways.
Snowy Hydro has officially decided to permanently cease its cloud seeding operations following a comprehensive review. The decision was influenced by escalating program costs which were found to outweigh the benefits previously associated with enhancing snowfall in the Snowy Mountains.
PHOTO: Snowy Hydro has permanently ceased their cloud seeding operation CREDITS: Snowy Hydro
Initiated in 2004 as a scientific trial, the cloud seeding program aimed to increase precipitation by introducing a seeding agent into suitable clouds, a technique known as ‘glaciogenic cloud seeding’. This method, which was entrenched in scientific research and strict environmental regulations, reportedly increased snowfall by an average of 14 percent during suitable conditions, with no adverse environmental impacts.
The recent review, originally announced in June 2024 after a program pause, highlighted significant challenges related to the ageing equipment. “Increasing costs were primarily driven by Snowy Hydro’s existing cloud seeding equipment reaching the end of its operational life, meaning significant investment would be needed for it to be replaced,” stated a spokesperson for Snowy Hydro. Additional operational expenses and regulatory compliance requirements further contributed to the financial burden.
PHOTO: Growing costs and ageing equipment have led to the recent decision.
Despite the cessation, Snowy Hydro assures that it will collaborate with stakeholders to develop a decommissioning plan for the removal of the cloud seeding equipment. The program, historically conducted between May and October, has played a pivotal role in hydropower generation by increasing water availability from snowmelt.
The company has consistently monitored environmental impacts throughout the program, collecting over 10,000 environmental samples, which confirmed no significant adverse effects.
Stakeholders and interested parties seeking more information on the cloud seeding program can access detailed reports and data on Snowy Hydro’s official website.
A breathtaking celebration of tango music and dance is set to take centre stage at Jindabyne Memorial Hall on July 11, 2025, as the much-anticipated concert series “The Art of Tango” brings its fiery rhythm to town. Curated by the acclaimed soprano, Ayşe Göknur Shanal, the concert promises an evening of passion, rhythm, and audience engagement, starting at 7pm.
PHOTO: “The Art of Tango” – a talented group of musicians and dancers – supplied.
This dynamic event, presented by Artists for Peace, features a talented ensemble of musicians and tango dancers. The lineup includes Ayşe Göknur Shanal on voice, Matthew Tsalidis on violin, Karella Mitchell on cello, John Martin on piano, and the charismatic tango dancers, Karina and Fabian Conca. Known for its sold-out shows at the Sydney Opera House, “The Art of Tango” will offer Snowy Mountains music and dance enthusiasts an opportunity to immerse themselves in this celebrated art form.
Ayşe Göknur Shanal shares her passion for the upcoming event, “It’s a super fun event, which has some surprise elements and audience involvement.”
PHOTO: The Art of Tango is set-to dazzle the Snowy Mountains on July 11 CREDIT: Jason Loi
“It is also a family friendly event, with children 12 and under, permitted free entry.” The concert promises a rich tapestry of Argentine Tango, Milonga, and unexpected surprises, designed to engage and inspire both seasoned tango lovers and new audiences alike.
In a glowing review by Stella Joseph-Jarecki for Fever Pitch Magazine, the performance at Melbourne Recital Centre was described as “a passionate and wildly entertaining concert” showcasing the flair and elegance of tango. Joseph-Jarecki praised Ayşe’s “captivating stage presence and excellent diction,” highlighting the ensemble’s “tight unity and communication” throughout the performance.
PHOTO: Acclaimed soprano, Ayşe Göknur Shanal full of voice and spirit CREDIT: Peter Hislop
Tickets for “The Art of Tango” in Jindabyne are available through TryBooking, ensuring an unforgettable experience that captures the rich and vibrant history of tango. With its infectious melodies and inviting rhythms, this concert is set to leave a lasting impression on all who attend. Tickets cost $40 for adults and $30 for student, concession, or pensioner card holders.
Due to popular demand, “The Art of Tango” concert will also be back to present again at the Sydney Opera House in August this year.
The latest data from the Bureau of Health Information has revealed a significant increase in overdue surgeries in New South Wales. In the past quarter alone, the number of patients experiencing delays in their surgeries has risen by 1,745, reaching a total of 8,587. Of those 8,587 patients, 2092 live in a rural area including eight within Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD). This marks a troubling upswing from around 2,000 patients statewide in mid-2024, although it remains an improvement from the daunting figure of approximately 14,000 earlier in March 2023.
PHOTO: The backlog of overdue surgeries in NSW worsened in the last quarter CREDITS: NSW Government
In response, the Minns Labor Government is taking decisive action to address this pressing health issue. As part of the 2025-26 Budget, the Government has announced an investment of $23 million aimed at reducing the backlog of these overdue surgeries. This injection of funds is anticipated to facilitate an additional 3,500 surgeries over the next year, helping to meet clinically recommended timelines.
Steve Whan, Member for Monaro, emphasised the Government’s commitment, stating, “The Minns Labor Government has said from day one that tackling overdue surgeries is a key priority. The data is encouraging, but we know there is always more to be done.”
While the overdue surgeries across the state present a significant challenge, SNSWLHD does fair well comparatively to other healthcare areas. The region’s Local Health District is one of the top performers in the state for Emergency Department (ED) and planned surgery performance.
PHOTO: Despite the concerning data across NSW, Southern NSW remains one of the state’s top performers for ED and planned surgery performance.
Semi-urgent and non-urgent presentations have improved, with non-urgent cases decreasing by 28.7 percent. Additionally, 94.6 percent of patients were transferred from paramedics to Emergency Department staff within 30 minutes, marking a slight improvement.
Within SNSWLHD, 100 percent of all urgent surgery happened within the benchmarked wait times, as well as 98.7 percent of semi-urgent surgeries and 99.7 percent of non-urgent surgeries – all above the NSW average.
Clinically recommended maximum waiting times for elective surgery are:
• Urgent – 30 days
• Semi-urgent – 90 days
• Non-urgent – 365 days
This investment comes as a part of the Government’s broader strategy, which includes a half-billion-dollar investment into emergency department relief to enhance care pathways and patient flow within hospitals.
In a boost to emergency readiness in the Snowy Mountains region, the New South Wales Government has announced the completion of modernisation projects for Cooma and Thredbo Fire Stations. With an investment exceeding $2.5 million, the upgrades are designed to enhance firefighting capabilities and ensure safety for local communities.
PHOTO: Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib with Fire and Rescue NSW CREDITS: Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW)
Cooma Fire Station, benefiting from a $1.7 million refurbishment, now boasts an expanded engine bay and driveway to accommodate diverse fire engines, alongside newly installed washroom facilities, motion-sensor LED lighting, and improved equipment storage. Additionally, an automatic ventilation system has been introduced to eliminate engine bay fumes, complemented by upgraded clean-up facilities for hazardous waste incidents.
PHOTO: The Cooma station was officially re-opened Tuesday June 10, 2025
Thredbo Fire Station, having received $900,000 in funding, features modernised facilities, enhanced ventilation systems, and new roller shutter doors, aligning with the needs of local firefighting efforts.
Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib remarked on the project’s significance, stating, “This $2.5 million investment in Snowy Mountains fire stations provides fire protection for local communities for years to come. It’s been great to visit these stations as refurbishments are completed, and these are just some of the improvements Fire and Rescue NSW is rolling out at stations across the state.”
PHOTO: The upgrades at Cooma Fire Station totalled $1.7 million dollars.
Member for Monaro, Steve Whan, expressed gratitude for the firefighters’ dedication: “The Cooma community and I are grateful for the commitment by the firefighters to keep us safe … I’m pleased to see the upgraded facilities meeting the needs of the committed firefighters.”
FRNSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell highlighted the tailored upgrades, noting, “Snowy Mountains firefighters work in unique conditions, and the improved design of their fire stations reflects this.”
PHOTO: The re-opening of Cooma fire station began with a smoking ceremony.
The completion of these upgrades marks an important enhancement to the region’s emergency response infrastructure, with a focus on supporting the dedicated efforts of local firefighters.
Council invites the Jindabyne community to a public information session at Jindabyne Memorial Hall from 5pm to 7pm on Thursday June 19, 2025 to learn more about planned major upgrades for the Town Centre public toilets.
With urgent essential maintenance completed earlier this month ahead of the peak winter season, residents and businesses can find out about Council’s plans for permanent and comprehensive upgrades to the high-traffic amenity block.
Session details | Jindabyne Town Centre public toilet upgrades
• Date: Thursday June 19, 2025 • Time: 5pm to 7pm • Location: Jindabyne Memorial Hall, Thredbo Terrace, Jindabyne
The two-hour session is open-format, with the proposed plans for the facility on display and staff on hand to answer questions and provide members of the public with further information.
No RSVP is required and all local residents and business stakeholders are welcome.
The winter season has officially kicked off with a bang in the Snowy Mountains, as Perisher and Thredbo Resorts reported an impressive start to their opening weekend, thanks to a timely low-pressure system that brought substantial snowfall, and blizzard conditions across higher elevations.
PHOTO: Stellar natural snow provided some excellent early season turns CREDIT: Perisher Resort
Perisher Resort was thrilled to announce its successful start to the season. On Saturday, June 7, 2025, the resort shared, “And just like that, we’re ripping in again. We’re having the best time celebrating the beginning of a brand new season.”
PHOTO: Perisher Resort celebrated their winter season 2025 first chair CREDIT: Perisher Resort
With 15cm of snow on the ground, the resort saw families and snow enthusiasts alike revel in the wintery wonderland, describing the experience as one filled with “memories in the mountains to last a lifetime.”
The Peak Music Festival 2025 lit up the Man from Snowy River Hotel in Perisher over the weekend with visitors treated to Fleetwood Max and the Department of Sound on Saturday night, capping off what was a sensational opening day.
Thredbo Resort also celebrated a stellar opening. By Sunday, June 8, the resort had seen 26cm of fresh snow, with more continuing to fall.
PHOTO: Snow falls down in Thredbo to the delight of 2025’s first visitors CREDIT: Thredbo Resort
Thredbo shared its excitement: “We woke up to a very snowy village this morning… this is the opening weekend dreams are made of.” The decent natural snowfall transformed the resort into a picturesque winter wonderland, setting the perfect scene for the start of winter 2025.
PHOTO: Thredbo Resort General Manager, Stuart Diver toasts winter 2025 CREDIT: Thredbo Resort
Thredbo resort celebrated the annual long lunch with General Manager at Thredbo, Stuart Diver popping the champagne on the 2025 winter season. A spokesperson for Thredbo Resort shared, “We can’t deny it’s been a toast-worthy weekend and what better way to celebrate than a Long Lunch, cheers to you, winter 2025.”
Visitors to Thredbo enjoyed the free Après Club live music in the village, featuring Hot Dub Time Machine on Saturday night as well as the weekly fireworks sending off opening day 2025, with a bang.
PHOTO: Hot Dub Time Machine plays at Thredbo’s Après Club on Saturday CREDIT:Hot Dub Time Machine
Other resorts in the region also reported significant snowfall. Selwyn Snow Resort saw a generous coating of snow as well, with reports from the weekend exclaiming, “The snow gods have well and truly delivered at Selwyn – and it’s still coming down.”
PHOTO: Selwyn Snow Resort received much needed snowfall at Cabramurra CREDIT: Selwyn Snow Resort
Meanwhile, Charlotte Pass Snow Resort is eagerly counting down to its opening, set for just under two weeks from now, with 60cm of snow already carpeting the ground. This promises an exciting kick-off to their winter season.
PHOTO: Charlotte Pass Snow Resort has transformed after decent snowfall CREDIT: Charlotte Pass Snow Resort
The Nordic Ski Club, catering to both backcountry and cross-country skiing, have now seen the right conditions for tours, noting an additional 15cm overnight on June 9, 2025.
As a result, the business is gearing up for the season with the first tours planned for tomorrow, Tuesday June 10. The club will also hold a Beginners Instructional Weekend from July 4-6, allowing ski enthusiasts to make the most of favourable early-season conditions.
According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, the substantial snowfall is a result of cold air and showers sweeping across south-eastern Australia over the weekend. The low-pressure system largely responsible for the excitement among eager skiers and snowboarders.
PHOTO: Perisher snow stake on opening day 2025 – Saturday June 7, 8am CREDIT:Perisher Resort
Additionally, snow showers are expected to continue over alpine resorts in the snowy Mountains, with conditions likely to remain cold throughout the week.
As snow enthusiasts flock to the mountains to take advantage of these pristine conditions, the snowy start to the season has been nothing short of extraordinary, promising an exciting winter for all visitors and locals alike.
Residents across the Snowy Mountains region awoke to a picturesque scene this morning, Monday June 9, as heavy snowfall covered towns and landscapes at higher elevations, but also dusted the wider region. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) attributes the abrupt winter wonderland to a low-pressure system over the southern Tasman Sea, which brought cold air alongside wet conditions over the weekend. Snowfall is expected to ease, and be limited to the resorts by Tuesday.
PHOTO: McDonalds Cooma wearing a winter coat – Monday June 9 – 7:40am CREDIT: Sam Miller
Snow has fallen as low as 900 metres with Cooma, Jindabyne, Adaminaby, Jerangle, Numeralla and Nimmitabel all recording snowfall of approximately 5cm.
Alpine resorts across the region including Perisher, Thredbo, Selwyn and Charlotte Pass are boasting an extra 40-60 centimetres of fresh snow—a pleasing addition for holidaying visitors during the long weekend.
The cold snap is predicted to persist throughout the week, although snow showers will likely become confined to the alpine resorts from Tuesday, as a ridge of high pressure begins to dominate NSW.
PHOTO: A view from Anglers Reach Lakeside Village – Monday June 9 – 2025 CREDIT: Graham Smith
Local tales of the snow’s beauty have emerged, with Tumut man Graham Smith describing the scene at Anglers Reach as “a beautiful Monday morning” and encouraging others to experience the winter charm of the region. Equally, Tim the Yowie Man noted that Adaminaby’s Big Fish had been adorned with an early morning “white coat.”
PHOTO: Adaminaby Trout – Monday June 9 2025, shared by Tim the Yowie Man CREDIT: Steve Brayshaw (Adaminaby General Store).
As picturesque as the snowfall may be, the Cooma Visitor Centre advised travellers to exercise caution, saying, “We’ve been hit with some fairy dust over night – a little winter magic to end the long weekend. Take a little more time and care with travelling today.”
Two bushwalkers have been rescued following a multi-agency operation in the Kosciuszko National Park overnight. About 7.30am yesterday (Saturday 7 June 2025), emergency services were called to the Kosciuszko Walking Trail, below Mount Carruthers, about 3kms from Mount Kosciuszko, following reports a 31-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman were stranded in blizzard conditions.
PHOTO: Emergency services battled blizzard conditions initially forced to retreat before successfully extracting the hikers CREDITS: NSW Police
A command post was established, and officers from the Monaro Police District Alpine Operations Unit, the Police Rescue Squad, NSW Ambulance and the NSW State Emergency Service alpine search and rescue team – responded.
About 12.15pm, the search party advanced to within about 1.2kms of the stranded bushwalkers before being forced to retreat due to strong winds and white out blizzard conditions.
About 10.40pm, trained alpine officers from both the NSW Police Force and the NSW State Emergency Service hiked on foot to the stranded hiker’s location, while other operators established a forward staging area and campsite due to the conditions.
About 12.25am this morning (Sunday 8 June 2025), the hikers were escorted to the staging post campsite, where they remained for a period of time due to rising Snowy River levels, strong winds and heavy snowfall.
PHOTO: Adverse weather saw a staging post campsite set up near the hikers CREDIT:NSW – SES Snowy River Unit
About 4.00am today (Sunday 8 June 2025), the hikers were successfully extracted, with no injuries reported.
Acting Inspector Andrew Woods of the Monaro Police District said, “This was a great example of multi-agency teamwork and resilience in extreme conditions”.
PHOTO: The rescue comes just one day after the launch of Operation Snow Safe 2025.
“As we move into the snow season, it’s vital that Kosciusko National Park users are properly prepared before venturing into alpine regions. It’s highly recommended that Park users monitor weather forecasts closely and continually as conditions change quickly.”
“The use of the online National parks and Wildlife Services Trip Intention Forms and personal locator beacon is strongly encouraged. The Think Before Trek checklist recommends some very helpful advice on clothing, alpine safety and readiness including telling a loved one your plans.” Insp Woods said.
Snow Australia has successfully launched their season 2025 Emerging Talent Program (ETP) in Jindabyne with a dynamic camp held at the National Snowsports Training Centre (NSTC) from May 30 to June 1. The event brought together a diverse ensemble of 55 athletes spanning ten different snowsport disciplines, supported by over 20 coaches.
PHOTO: The ETP in Jindabyne hosted 55 athletes from 10 different snowsports disciplines CREDIT: Snow Australia
Ben Bond, Snow Australia’s Performance Health and Talent Manager, highlighted the significance of the event, describing it as “an all-immersive weekend of engagement to launch the 2025 season.”
Reflecting on the evolution of the programme, Bond noted, “One of the big highlights has been seeing the progression of the group over the past five or so years.”
PHOTO: Athletes engaged in learning at the Jindabyne NSTC.
“We’re also noticing there’s a real difference in terms of how the kids are engaging with each other, their high performance behaviours and they’re all presenting physically really well.”
Prior to winter, during May, the ETP held its Moguls Water Ramp Camp in Brisbane at the esteemed Geoff Henke Olympic Winter Training Centre. Led by NG32 Development Coach Paris Speirs, the camp included 13 eager athletes, supported by a team of four coaches and two shadow coaches.
PHOTO: Water ramps offer a safe landing for snowsports athletes to train.
Speirs expressed the camp’s unique value, stating, “It’s an honour to be included in a facility like the Geoff Henke Olympic Winter Training Centre… especially for this level of athlete.” She praised the young athletes’ spirit, adding, “The eagerness of wanting to improve and be here to make that next step and be the best in their sport is something pretty cool to see.”
With dedication and a supportive environment, Snow Australia’s ETP continues to cultivate future champions, ready to excel on the world stage.
