Snowy Monaro Regional Council (SMRC) advised a valve is being replaced at the Berridale water reservoir from Monday March 17 to Wednesday March 19, 2025. This essential maintenance may affect water pressure for properties connected to town water on these dates.
Essential information
Where:
Berridale, entire township
Date:
Monday 17 March to Wednesday 19 March 2025
Time:
7.30am to 4.30pm each day
Purpose:
Valve replacement at the water reservoir
A spokesperson for SMRC said, “We do everything we can to ensure water clarity isn’t negatively affected by our work, but you might find some cloudy water coming from your taps once work is complete.”
“You can run an outside tap for a few minutes after 4.30pm each day, as a precaution, to flush the plumbing at your property.”
“We appreciate your patience and understanding while we conduct this essential water maintenance work.”
Contact: Paul Midgley, Water Supervisor
Phone: 1300 345 345
Contact the SMRC water and wastewater department on 1300 345 345 with any questions or email [email protected] for further information.
Snowy Monaro Regional Council (SMRC) has scheduled water infrastructure work in Delegate from Tuesday April 1, to Thursday April 3, 2025, weather permitting. There will be interruptions to the water supply for properties connected to town water required as part of this work.
All properties connected to town water will have their water supply interrupted for several hours on Tuesday April 1, with two additional interruptions for a smaller number of properties on Wednesday April 2 and Thursday April 3 2025.
First scheduled Delegate water supply interruption
Where:
Delegate, all properties connected to town water
Date:
Tuesday 1 April 2025, weather permitting
Time:
9am to 12pm
Second scheduled Delegate water supply interruption
Where:
North Delegate: – Properties on the north side of Bombala Street – Campbell Street – Hayden Street – Orr Street – Stewart Street – William Street
Third scheduled Delegate water supply interruption
Where:
South Delegate: – Properties on the south side of Bombala Street – Craigie Street – Hayden Street – Hogarth Street – Hensleigh Street – Topping Street south of Hensleigh Street – Victoria Parade between Topping Street and Hogarth Street
A spokesperson for SMRC said, “Despite our best efforts, you may see some cloudy water coming from your taps once work is complete and your water supply is turned back on. As a precaution, you can run an outside tap for a few minutes once supply has resumed.”
“Thank you for your patience and understanding. Please call 1300 345 345 if you have any questions about these upcoming interruptions to your water supply.”
The Bombala Show is set to delight visitors as it marks a significant milestone of 150 years this Saturday, March 15, 2025, under the theme ‘Now…and Then’. Eager show-goers are in for a day filled with festivities, highlighting the agricultural heritage and vibrant community spirit of Bombala.
PHOTO: The 150th Bombala Show will feature presentation from the Bombala Historical Society CREDIT: Bombala Show
A spokesperson for the Bombala Show said, “The countdown is on for our ‘Celebrating 150 years’ Bombala Show. Some event times may be subject to change but it’s looking like an amazing day out for the whole family.”
The gates will open to the public at 8am with entry available via Wellington or Forbes Street. The official opening ceremony is scheduled for 11am at the sheep shed stage, featuring a presentation from the Bombala Historical Society. Entertainment begins early with the Kidszone opening at 10:30am, offering endless fun including Dodgem Cars, Inflatable Slides, and face painting.
PHOTO: The MadStyleMoto extreme motorbike stunt show is set to thrill.
Market stalls will operate from 9am, offering a tempting array of gourmet food and local crafts. Visitors can indulge in treats from Coffee 2630, Fah’s Thai Food, enjoy showbags from Bombala Netball, as well as a range of other options. The main attraction includes the thrilling MadStyleMoto extreme motorbike stunt show, with performances at 1pm and 5pm.
PHOTO: Kidszone wrist bands cost $20 – The fun runs from 10:30am-3pm.
Agricultural enthusiasts will have plenty to see with all-day exhibits, live sheep judging, and a new Stockman’s Time Trial Event. At the cattle sheds, visitors can enjoy cattle judging and a ‘Guess the Weight’ competition.
Concluding the day, a Calcutta Auction and a thrilling dog high jump ensure a fitting finale to this grand event celebrating 150 years of community pride and agricultural history in Bombala.
The Cooma Multicultural Festival 2025 is set to illuminate Centennial Park in a celebration of diversity and heritage this Sunday, March 16. The festival, brimming with colour and vibrant multicultural displays, highlights the region’s rich history of migration and remains a cornerstone of community spirit in the Snowy Mountains.
PHOTO: The vibrant colours and decorative costumes bring Cooma to life. CREDIT: Cooma Multicultural Centre.
Starting at 10AM and continuing through to 4PM, festival-goers can enjoy a packed program with around 30 performances from local and visiting artists. Celebrating cultures from across the globe, attendees will be treated to displays from various cultures such as Serbian, Ukrainian, Chilean, East African, and Colombian performers. Enlivening the atmosphere, traditional dances such as Samba, will take centre stage, as well as the much anticipated Greek plate-breaking tradition.
Food enthusiasts can look forward to a culinary journey with over eight food stalls presenting an array of global cuisines. From the aromatic dishes of India and Sri Lanka to the vibrant flavours of Thailand, Malaysia, and South America, there’s something for every palate. The festival will feature the popular ‘Taste of Ethiopia’ stall, returning by popular demand after last year’s success.
PHOTO: The array of cuisine is sure to satisfy the senses.
Yvi Henderson, Manager of the Cooma Multicultural Centre, expressed excitement for the upcoming event, saying, “We are very lucky this year, we’ve got lots of local performances, more than any of the other multicultural festivals. So with the many migrant families we have in town now, they all have incredible talent, and they’re all going to showcase something.”
The festival is generously supported by Multicultural New South Wales, Snowy Hydro – Future Generation, and Rotary. In the event of rain, the celebrations will move indoors to the multi-function centre, ensuring the festivities continue uninterrupted. This much-anticipated event promises to be a celebration of unity, culture, and community participation.
Jindabyne local and New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) athlete, Adam Lambert achieved a remarkable result over the weekend, securing a silver medal in the Snowboard Cross World Cup event, marking his first podium finish of the season. The 27-year-old snowboarder from the Snowy Mountains demonstrated exceptional skill and determination in a fiercely competitive field at the Gudauri resort, Georgia.
PHOTO: Eliot Grondin (left), Elias Leitner (Centre) Adam Lambert (right) CREDIT: NSWIS
Under sunny skies, Lambert showed grit and expertise by advancing through the round of 32, quarter-final, and semi-final, ultimately reaching the big-final medal round. In a thrilling race, Lambert maintained a strong position throughout, narrowly overtaking the challenges posed by riders Eliot Grondin from Canada and Elias Leitner from Austria. Ultimately, Lambert clinched the second spot, finishing behind Austria’s Jakob Dusek.
“The men’s big final is always really competitive,” Lambert expressed to NSWIS after his spectacular performance. “I am thrilled with how I raced today. It’s always fun to reach the finals and compete among the best.”
The silver medal holds special significance for Lambert, as it represents his fourth World Cup podium, highlighting his consistent performance on the international stage. Lambert now moves to ninth in the standings following his silver medal.
Snowy Monaro Regional Council (SMRC) has lifted the conserve water notice for properties connected to the Bombala town water supply as of 9.30am Tuesday March 11, 2025.
A spokesperson for SMRC said, “Residential and business water usage in the Bombala area can resume as normal.”
“Major repairs and component replacements have been completed over the past several weeks, with the Bombala raw water intake now back up and running at full capacity.”
“Council appreciates the community’s understanding and cooperation while this conservation notice was in effect.”
Contact Council’s water and wastewater team on 1300 345 345 or by email at [email protected] for further information.
From tomorrow, March 12, 2025, nearly 1.3 million students across Australia, including those from the Snowy Mountains region, will sit for the annual NAPLAN assessments. Conducted by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), this national testing evaluates literacy and numeracy progress in students from Years 3, 5, 7, and 9.
PHOTO: Monaro High School – Cooma
Stephen Gniel, ACARA CEO, noted, “NAPLAN is just one aspect of a school’s assessment and does not replace ongoing assessments made by teachers about student performance, but it can provide important additional information about a student’s educational progress.”
This year’s testing marks the second cycle under the new proficiency levels and the shifted testing period from May to March. This adjustment allows for more time within the school year to integrate the results into educational planning. Schools will receive preliminary results early in Term 2, with full reporting, including writing assessments, expected by June 2025.
PHOTO: NESA have handy tip for students and parents to handle exam stress CREDIT: NSW Education Department
Preparations have been extensive, with ACARA developing over 2,500 test questions. Yet, it’s acknowledged that the stress associated with such assessments is significant. The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and other educational bodies recommend several strategies to help manage exam stress.
Encouraging students to maintain a balanced study schedule with adequate breaks is crucial in preventing burnout. Exercise, such as running or swimming, can help reduce stress by utilising excess adrenaline and cortisol. Parents, teachers, and students should be reminded that while exam results are important, they are not the “be all and end all” of academic life or future success.
The rental affordability crisis continues to create significant challenges across Australia, with homelessness reaching alarming levels, as revealed in recent reports by Homelessness Australia and Homelessness NSW. In New South Wales (NSW), the situation is particularly dire, with the state recording the worst rental affordability rates.
PHOTO: New Ministers Debbie and Bryan Bartlett from Salvation Army Cooma.
Amidst this broader crisis, in Cooma, the Salvation Army is taking strides to assist the homeless. Debbie Bartlett, Corps Officer for the Salvation Army in Cooma, provides a glimpse of the local challenges: “Lot’s of people in the community are doing it tough and not enough people know it’s happening.”
The Salvation Army has recently opened “Our Community of Hope” on Vale Street, aiming to provide a welcoming space for those in need. Debbie Bartlett said, “We want to help address the issues such as people living in the National Parks surrounding Snowy Mountains towns like Cooma.”
“We are only just starting to make deeper connections with the community, but it has become apparent there are some issues that aren’t well known. We are working on plans and agreements that are suitable for the community, where facilities like showers that aren’t being used at a particular time of the day can be offered to people who really need it.”
PHOTO: PropTrack data revealed it’s harder than ever to afford rents in places like New South Wales CREDIT: Planning NSW
Recent data from PropTrack and the REA Group has highlighted an unprecedented increase in rental prices, making it increasingly difficult for residents to maintain their homes.
According to Homelessness Australia, this has led to families, who once lived comfortably within their communities, resorting to living in tents due to the un-affordability of housing.
Kate Colvin, CEO of Homelessness Australia, notes this crisis is not just about homelessness but also impacts mental health and social cohesion.
In New South Wales, the REA Group data indicates that Sydney’s median rent prices have escalated to $780 for houses and $700 for units, rendering the state the least affordable for renters.
Dominique Rowe, CEO of Homelessness NSW, explains that even high-income earners are being edged out of the rental market.
The root causes of homelessness, such as housing crises, financial difficulties, and family violence, are becoming more pronounced.
As political parties gear up for elections, both Homelessness Australia and Homelessness NSW emphasise the urgent need for substantial government intervention. Suggested measures include a significant increase in social housing investment and funding for homelessness services to ensure secure housing for all Australians.
In a collective effort to safeguard communities and preserve natural habitats, the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and crews from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS) Snowy Monaro District successfully conducted a major hazard reduction burn in Kosciuszko National Park. The operation, dubbed “Thatchers Hole Hazard Reduction” (HR), took place from March 7-9 2025, closing the Wallace Craigie Lookout on Barry Way.
PHOTO: Jindabyne RFS at the Thatchers Hole HR. CREDIT: Jindabyne RFS.
The burn was aimed at reducing fire-prone fuel hazards within strategic parts of the park, a crucial step in moderating future fire behaviour and aiding suppression efforts during severe weather conditions.
The operation demanded extensive planning and coordination, a spokesperson from Jindabyne RFS said. “A 1906 hectare HR is a large undertaking, requiring a lot of planning and a big team effort to execute, with lots of variations in elevation, vegetation, aspect, weather and assets to protect.”
PHOTO: Different elevations and vegetation types provided a challenge for crews.
Jindabyne RFS expressed gratitude to all RFS crews including “Adaminaby RFS, New South Wales RFS, Berridale RFS, Ingebyra RFS, and East Jindabyne RFS,” as well as other organisations including Visit NSW State Forests, Snowy Mountains Helicopters, and Urban Rural Tree Services, for their essential roles in traffic management and safety.
Hazard reduction activities like these are part of NPWS’s broader Enhanced Bushfire Management Program (EBMP), aiming to treat over 135,000 hectares annually. More than 635,000 hectares have been treated in the past five years, showcasing the dedication and importance of these preventive measures.
PHOTO: HR burns of this scale take meticulous planning and coordination.
While such operations may temporarily impact visitors due to smoke and area closures, they form part of an important plan for community safety and environmental conservation. NPWS broadcasts public information through updates on their Alerts page, where you can stay up to date with planned hazard reduction burns.
As the Monaro District Cricket Association One Day Competition heads towards the finals, Round 11 delivered thrilling encounters that shook up the competition ladder, leaving teams jostling for the coveted top four positions. With just one round remaining, every match is crucial in determining which clubs make the finals.
PHOTO: Cooma Titans premier top order batsman Aqib Abbasi made 79.
Saturday’s fixtures kicked off with the Cooma Titans facing the Jindabyne Tigers at Rotary Oval. Early breakthroughs by Jindabyne’s Dave Oxley, picking up the wickets of Dilip Chandran and Mohsin Imran, had the Titans at 2/21. However, Aqib Abbasi (79) and Hassan Nawaz (68) formed a vital partnership to steady the Titans’ innings, the score 3/185 when Nawaz fell.
PHOTO: Jindabyne’s James Joyce went through the in-form Babar Rehman.
Jindabyne’s bowlers, led by James Joyce with figures of 4/32, initiated a collapse, bowling out the Titans for 218 runs in 38.4 overs. In response, Jindabyne came very close in their chase, with strong performances from Dave Tickell (72) and Captain Lucas Rixon (38). Despite their efforts, Rixon was run out chasing the remaining 11 runs required for victory, the Tigers concluded their 40 overs just seven runs short at 9/211 after a full 40 overs.
In Bombala, Coffey’s Cricket Club displayed exceptional prowess against the home side. Bombala elected to bat and reached a total of 201, thanks to standout performances from the in-form Mark Tonks (73) and Jason Cikos (42). Coffey’s Nathan Thompson played a pivotal role, nabbing key wickets, including Tonks and Cikos.
Coffey’s chase was a masterclass in batting dominance, with openers Dale Cook (101*) and Nathan Thompson (94) leading their team to a comprehensive victory, reaching 0/205 in 34.1 overs, and dispatching 26 boundaries between them.
The final match of the round saw Berridale Whitetails taking on Rhythm at Nijong Oval. Berridale managed a modest total of 127 after 36 overs, guided by Zac McKenzie’s 45. Berridale reached the 100 run mark before three quick wickets fell for just one run. Thomas King, Benjamin Hearn, and Zac McKenzie departed leaving the Whitetails reeling at 6/105. Rhythm’s bowlers, led by Isiah Peisley with 3/16, from 7 overs was very effective.
In reply Rhythm lost Toby Inskip (5) early before Jack Watt and Nemasha Ambagahawatte settled things down. Watt (15) fell to Berridale young gun Jack Dunn and then Ambagahawatte followed, Dunn taking two key wickets.
Resistance from Rhythm was strong though, as Kasun Basnagoda (27), and Captain Kaeliff Khoury (20), formed an important partnership. Basnagoda ultimately lost his wicket to Russell Haylock’s leg spin, leaving Khoury and the lower order to attempt it on their own.
A disciplined knock from Stuart Wood (22*) gave Rhythm every opportunity however the loss of Khoury saw Rhythm fall just short. Berridale’s strong bowling performace was highlighted by Captain Russell Haylock’s 4/14 from 7 overs of leg-spin resulting in a narrow Berridale victory with Rhythm bowled out for 118.
With Coffey’s leapfrogging Jindabyne to lead the competition, only one round remains before the semi-finals, promising more exciting cricket as the top four battle for supremacy. In round 12, will see Coffey’s host Dalgety, Berridale travel to Jindabyne, and Rhythm are at home to the Cooma Titans. Bombala have the bye.
Dalgety must win to make the finals, and hope that Berridale lose to Jindabyne. Coffey’s must beat Dalgety to be first past the post. If Berridale win in Jindabyne they will lock in fourth spot, and a finals birth. If Jindabyne win and Coffey’s lose, they will be first past the post. The Cooma Titans can finish second if they win and Jindabyne lose.
