News

Krazy Kosci Klimb: Empowering Young People with Disabilities to Reach New Heights

Bright and early on February 8, 2025, the inspiring Krazy Kosci Klimb took place in Kosciuszko National Park, challenging young people with cerebral palsy and similar disabilities to hike the summit of Mount Kosciuszko. The event celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, marking a decade of significant impact by empowering over 165 young participants to embrace the challenge and independence offered by the breathtaking alpine landscape.

PHOTO: The 18.6km trip required meticulous planning by all involved CREDIT: NPWS

Set against the backdrop of Australia’s highest peak, the 18.6km return trek is no small feat, involving a steep incline that tests the participants and their support teams.

Despite the added complication of a storm, all climbers successfully reached the summit and descended safely, thanks to the meticulous planning by New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) staff who also ensured contingency plans were ready to tackle any adverse weather conditions.

PHOTO: An unexpected summer storm made things even more interesting for organisers CREDIT: Craig Willsmer / 5 Willows Photography.

Since its inception, Krazy Kosci Klimb has made a profound difference, raising over $3 million to fund the Health and Wellness Program at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. In 2024 alone, participants raised more than $568,000. This year, contributions reached an impressive $480,394, getting closer to the $500,000 goal, with Team Hudson leading the fundraising efforts by generating $111,732.

PHOTO: The event brought smiles to the faces of everyone involved CREDIT: 5 Willows.

A spokesperson for the NPWS remarked on the positive atmosphere and smiles all around saying, “The event aims to give young people with disability

the opportunity to build confidence and independence while experiencing the incredible alpine landscape. With big smiles all-round, it was great day for all involved in tackling the challenge.”

Thanks to generous support, the Krazy Kosci Klimb continues to make a lasting impact, empowering young people with disabilities to reach new heights.

PHOTO: Hikers not far from the Mount Kosciuszko summit CREDIT: 5 Willows.

Ventilation Fan Mishap Halts Snowy Hydro 2.0 Operations: Safety Concerns Rise

In the wake of a severe safety incident at the Snowy Hydro 2.0 site, all underground construction has been suspended following a catastrophic ventilation fan failure. The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) confirmed the mishap, which could have led to casualties had there been workers present when the industrial fan, measuring approximately 2.5 metres in diameter, malfunctioned, propelling metal shrapnel through the tunnel early Tuesday morning.

PHOTO: Underground work has again been halted at Snowy Hydro 2.0 after new safety concerns emerge CREDIT: Snowy Hydro.

The occurrence, described as a “significant near-miss” by AWU NSW Secretary Tony Callinan, highlighted severe inadequacies in safety protocols. Callinan stressed the potential risk of fatalities and emphasised the ongoing safety concerns, stating, “Their failure not only represents an immediate hazard from flying debris but could also create lethal atmospheric conditions underground.

“Tunnelling is a dangerous industry but, Snowy 2.0 management just can’t seem to get the basics right,

“It’s the worst project I have seen in 20 years as an AWU Organiser.”

This incident follows a similar safety shutdown last month due to non-operational underground refuge chambers, intensifying scrutiny over Snowy Hydro 2.0’s safety practices.

SafeWork NSW inspectors have since then, issued six prohibition notices concerning all ventilation fans on site, uncovering further deficiencies such as missing bolts and maintenance shortcomings. The AWU demands comprehensive inspections by manufacturers to ensure worker safety before operations resume underground.

Snowy Hydro, responding to the incident, announced plans for an independent safety review and audit, and “will require changes to principal contractor Future Generation Joint Venture’s (FGJV) leadership on the project.”

Prioritising safety, Snowy Hydro halted underground activities to examine other fans, intending to gradually resume work post-inspection. The company acknowledged the importance of addressing safety concerns.

“These actions follow an underground fan failing and losing part of its blade on Tuesday morning. Thankfully, no one was hurt,” a spokesperson for Snowy Hydro said.

“Underground work was stopped to allow inspection of all fans. FGJV will work with SafeWork NSW to ensure they are safe, with the aim of progressively restarting work.”

“Nothing is more important to Snowy Hydro than safety. Recent safety concerns at Snowy 2.0 have made it clear that as the client, our assurance role over FGJV’s activities requires this intervention. We’re committed to working with our workforce and unions to ensure that the safety standards we expect are in place at Snowy 2.0.”

The repeated safety concerns cast doubt over maintenance protocols and potential oversights at the Snowy 2.0 project, which has been plagued by delays and cost overruns since it commenced in 2019. The AWU stressed the urgent need for improved safety management to prevent further incidents.

Bombala Touch Football Association Celebrates 50th Anniversary Milestone

The Bombala Touch Football Association is set to mark a significant milestone, proudly celebrating its 50th anniversary on the club’s Grand Final night, Friday March 7, 2025. Established in 1975, the association has become a staple of the Bombala region’s sporting landscape during the summer months.

PHOTO: Bombala Touch Footy Association has been bringing the community together for 50 years.

The Golden Jubilee is not just a celebration of the years gone by but a testament to the enduring spirit of community, teamwork, and excellence that defines the association. Since its inception, Bombala Touch Football has served as a beacon for local sports, providing a platform that champions athletes, forges community spirit, and inspires future generations.

President of the Bombala Touch Football Association Bailey Jones said the 50th anniversary reflects on past achievements and honours the committees, players, and supporters who have been pivotal in shaping its journey.

“The club was founded in the summer of 1974 after the Rugby League contingent needed some social sport once their season ended. John Ratcliffe, Colin Ryan and John Bedingfield who were all players at the time founded the sport that we now know and love in Bombala and we couldn’t be more proud of our 50 years long story.”

PHOTO: Bailey Jones dictating the speed of play for the Bombala Blue Heelers First Grade Group 16 side.

“Touch Football here in the Bombala district means so much to so many people for not only the men and women but also the high school children. It’s a time to get together with people you might not normally play your other major sports with and just have fun whilst keeping fitness levels up over the summer and spring seasons.”

“We’ve evolved from having roughly 16 mens teams at it’s peak in the late 70’s to early 80’s, to now having a great ladies competition that also runs on the same night, so all three fields are full during two time slots.”

“I couldn’t be more proud to be the president of the club over the last three years but also as a player when I got introduced to the sport at just 12 years old.”

As the community comes together for the Grand Final on March 7, three teams including Black Magic, Water Boys, and Pink have already secured their spots. Tonight will see six teams across three grades all vying for a spot in Friday’s Grand Finals.

The club advised all are welcome to attend and celebrate the legacy of sporting excellence that the Bombala Touch Football Association has nurtured over the past five decades.

Thursday February 27 – Finals Schedule:

Game 1 – 6pm (Ladies)

Purple v Pink

Referees: Monique Perkins and Krit Nichols

Game 2 – 6pm (B Grade)

Icemeltit v Fiji Time

Referees: Clay Clear and Barry Grant

Game 3 – 6pm (A Grade)

Vipers v GMH

Referees: Andrew Joseph and Mitch Rolfe

Date Set for Second Session of Adjourned February Council Meeting

Snowy Monaro Regional Council (SMRC) advised councillors will meet at 10am on Monday March 3, 2025, in Cooma for the second session of the February Ordinary Council meeting, to consider remaining business on the agenda following the meeting’s adjournment last week.

A spokesperson for SMRC said, “Due to the length of the agenda, the February meeting was adjourned on Thursday evening to a later date. This second session will ensure that all items in the business paper can be given appropriate time and consideration.”

“The meeting business paper is available online on Council’s website. As next week’s session is a continuation of the February meeting, the same agenda is carried over from last week.”

“The meeting will open with the required formalities covered by items one through five in the business paper, before the agenda resumes with item 11.2 in the councillor notices of motion section.”

Visit https://qrco.de/2025businesspapers to view or download the business paper.

Council advised members of the public can attend in-person on Monday March 3, from 10am at Cooma Council Chambers, 81 Commissioner Street, Cooma. As this is a continuation of the February meeting, there will be no public forum next week.

The upcoming session will be livestreamed on Council’s website from 10am on Monday at https://qrco.de/webcastSMRC. A recording of the webcast will be available at the same link within 48 hours of the meeting’s close.

Aerial Shooting Temporarily Closes Parts of Kosciuszko National Park

The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has announced the temporary closure of specific sections within Kosciuszko National Park (KNP) to facilitate aerial feral animal control operations.

Affected areas include the Jagungal Wilderness Area east of Round Mountain Fire Trail and southwest of Happy Jacks Road between Monday March 3, and Friday March 7, 2025.

PHOTO: Map of affected areas in KNP.

Farm Ridge Fire Trail, Cesjacks Hut and access to Cesjacks Hut, Boobee Hut and Round Mountain Hut site will be closed for the duration of the operation.

PHOTO: Cesjacks Hut, KNP CREDIT: Kosciuszko Huts Association.

Despite these closures, the Australian Alps Walking Track (AAWT) and National Trail remain open, with clear instructions for trail users to adhere strictly to the designated paths.

A spokesperson for NPWS said, “Closure notices will be prominently displayed at access points, and penalties are enforced for non-compliance. These necessary actions are part of ongoing efforts by NPWS to manage and preserve the ecological integrity of the park.”

For those seeking additional information on the closures, NPWS encourages contacting their support line at 13000 PARKS (1300 072 757) or reaching out via email. NPWS advised they appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation during this period.

Local League Clubs Unite to Bring Back Junior Rugby League

A community ground swell is building to introduce a Mini League Friday night competition in the Snowy Mountains for children aged 5 to 9 years, with the Snowy River Bears (SRB) hosting a free ‘Come and Try’ league clinic this Friday, February 28, from 5 – 6pm at John Connors Oval, Jindabyne.

In a move aimed at fostering local sports participation, the concept was inspired by Creedence Bartlett from the Cooma Colts. It strives to bring back junior football to the wider area after a gap of two decades.

PHOTO: The Cooma Colt’s Creedence Bartlett CREDIT: Cooma Colts Junior Rugby League Football Club.

SRB President, Jason Dyball, explained, “The Cooma Colts, under the guidance of Creedence Bartlett, are attempting to reignite interest among children in the region. Currently, young footballers have to travel to Canberra for what’s only a 20-minute game. Our aim is to form local teams in collaboration with Cooma Colts, and possibly Bombala, to ease the travel burden on families.”

Boys and girls are encouraged to join in, regardless of their prior experience. Under the guidance of Coach Alex, participants will have the chance to learn new skills, enjoy some footy fun, and even savour a Zooper Dooper to wrap up the event.

PHOTO: Jindabyne juniors enjoying rugby league drills CREDIT: SRB

The teams are registered under the Cooma Colts, but will play in Bears colours, providing Jindabyne’s young talents a platform to explore and enjoy the sport close to home.

The initiative marks the beginning of potential re-establishment of a vibrant junior footy scene in the Snowy Mountains, offering excitement and fostering community spirit. All children are welcome to experience the fun and camaraderie on offer at Friday’s event.

Groundbreaking Universal Outdoor Mobile Coverage Initiative: Black Spots Could Soon be a Thing of the Past

The Albanese Government has unveiled the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation (UOMO), a world-first reform aimed at providing basic universal outdoor mobile coverage across Australia. This pioneering initiative announced yesterday, will compel mobile carriers to deliver mobile voice and SMS services to nearly all outdoor areas across the nation, covering up to 5 million square kilometres and extending over 37,000 kilometres of regional roads.

PHOTO: Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain (left), with Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland (right).

This bold policy aims to enhance access to emergency services like Triple Zero, rectify existing mobile black spots, and improve mobile signal availability during disasters and power outages. The deployment of this initiative is made possible through advancements in Low Earth Orbit Satellites (LEOSats) and Direct-to-Device (D2D) technologies, enabling mobile devices to receive signals directly from space.

The government plans to introduce legislation in 2025, with an expected rollout by late 2027. However, many Australians could experience improved access earlier. Although initial efforts focus on voice and SMS, considerations for basic mobile data will follow as technology evolves.

Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland, stated, “Labor governments have consistently expanded universal access to essential services. The UOMO will significantly enhance public safety and infrastructure resilience, addressing areas previously deemed too challenging or costly to reach.”

Kristy McBain, Member for Eden-Monaro, highlighted the initiative’s impact on her constituency, “Eden-Monaro is over 42,000 square kilometres – with a number of known coverage issues, which is why the Universal Outdoor Mobile Obligation is great news for our community. because it will provide another layer of outdoor coverage during emergencies – whether that’s in our national parks, on our hiking trails, or out on the farm.”

PHOTO: Deep pockets of black-spot bushland in Eden-Monaro could soon be connected through LEOSats and D2D technologies.

“Reliable connectivity is crucial for businesses, emergency services, and maintaining social connections. Since taking office, the Albanese Government has invested $8.5 million in 13 mobile base station improvements in Eden-Monaro, with projects like the Jerangle upgrade completed last November.”

Liberal candidate for Eden-Monaro Jo van der Plaat said she experiences a number of emails weekly complaining of ongoing blackspot issues.

“As a candidate, I get to witness first hand driving around this electorate, just where they are, where they’ve always been and never fixed.”

“Labor claims that this will provide mobile coverage almost everywhere, but fails to detail which areas will miss out or most importantly, the cost. Labor have failed to declare how much the Mobile Obligation commitment will cost and who will have to pay for it.”

“The people of Eden-Monaro have been smashed by Labor’s cost of living crisis, and they are rightly concerned about the prospect of higher mobile bills, without any detail.”

The government plans to conduct a National Audit of Mobile Coverage to better pinpoint black spots and guide future investments. These efforts complement existing co-investment programmes like the Mobile Black Spot Program, enhancing terrestrial mobile network coverage and resilience.

The UOMO is not a replacement for traditional networks but an additional layer of connectivity, significantly benefiting Australians during emergencies. Federal Labor advised there will be comprehensive engagement with stakeholders aimed to ensure that the implementation of UOMO will be both effective and responsive to public needs, such as which devices are compatible.

This transformative effort could be the first step in fostering a future where rural and isolated areas like Eden-Monaro finally have access to greater safety and connectivity.

Upcoming Jindabyne ScrapMart Closures

Snowy Monaro Regional Council (SMRC) advised due to temporary staffing shortages, the Jindabyne ScrapMart tip shop at Jindabyne Landfill will be closed on Saturday March 1, and Saturday March 8, 2025.

A spokesperson for SMRC said, “Second-hand shoppers can still find plenty of bargains across the region over the next fortnight at our ScrapMart facilities in Cooma and Bombala.”

“Plan your trip and check opening hours at https://qrco.de/ScrapMart.

Council apologises for any inconvenience caused by these temporary closures and appreciates the community’s understanding.”

Please visit https://qrco.de/wasteinfoSMRC for more information about waste and recycling in the Snowy Monaro.

Contact SMRC on 1300 345 345 with any questions or concerns.

Have Your Say on the Revised Snowy Monaro Community Strategic Plan

Snowy Monaro Regional Council (SMRC) is inviting all residents, ratepayers, and stakeholders to provide feedback on the revised Snowy Monaro Community Strategic Plan 2042. The consultation is open now until Monday 24 March 2025, and is your chance to provide input on the updated plan following community engagement conducted last year.

Originally adopted in 2022, the Community Strategic Plan (CSP) is the highest-level strategic document, setting out a long-term vision for the region. Over the past 12 months,

Council advised it has conducted a light-touch review of the CSP, incorporating community feedback from consultations held in early 2024. This process helps ensure that the plan remains relevant and closely aligned to the priorities of our community.

It’s easy to have your say, your way, with a range of simple options to get involved:

  • Fill out the online survey on the Your Say Snowy Monaro website
  • Grab a paper copy of the survey from any Council office or library branch
  • Have a chat with us at regional shows and local events

Mayor Chris Hanna said, “This review is an important opportunity for our community to tell us what their priorities are for the region over the long term.”

“Council has spent the last year updating the CSP based on what you told us, and we’re excited to share the results and hear what you think about the Snowy Monaro’s vision for the future.”

The CSP is made up of five key themes:

  1. Our Community – Supporting connected, inclusive, and healthy communities
  2. Our Economy – Driving economic sustainability and local opportunities
  3. Our Environment – Protecting and enhancing the region’s natural assets
  4. Our Infrastructure – Improving transport, utilities, and community facilities
  5. Our Civic Leadership – Ensuring transparent and effective governance

This revised plan considers the challenges and priorities facing our region, including housing affordability, infrastructure investment, sustainability, and economic resilience.

While the CSP sets overarching strategic goals, specific projects and service details are addressed in Council’s upcoming Delivery Program and Operational Plan, which will open for consultation later this year.

Have your say before Monday 24 March 2025 at https://qrco.de/CSPreview and help SMRC make the future of our region brighter than ever. The plan will be further revised based on your feedback and presented to Council for review and adoption in mid-2025.

Visit https://qrco.de/CSPreview to learn more about getting involved, or give SMRC a call on 1300 345 345 for further information.

Cooma Colts Launch Pathways Program for Junior Rugby League Players

A new initiative aimed at bridging the gap between junior and senior rugby league levels was launched on Sunday, February 23, at the Cooma Showgrounds. Nathan Smith, the Colts’ Under 18s Coach for 2025, spearheaded the pathways program designed to transition Cooma Colts Junior Rugby League players into the senior Cooma Stallions team.

PHOTO: Cooma Colts U18’s Coach Nathan Smith, with Colts pathways players.

The program featured a series of drills and fitness sessions, providing a platform for teenagers to enhance their skills and stay engaged with the sport. Smith, who has successfully organised similar programs in the past, emphasises the importance of retention in junior sports.

“As kids start leaving sport around those ages, I want to keep them involved and hopefully move them on to become a Stallion,” he said.

PHOTO: Smith conducting drills with the Colts in their new training kit.

The training kit for the program was generously funded by the Cooma Rovers trust fund, a nod to the rich history of rugby league in Cooma, which once boasted multiple local sides.

Smith’s vision is to foster a strong rugby identity within the community, keeping the Cooma Colts and Stallions prospering. “If the Stallions are strong, it gets the local community involved and gives the town something to look forward to,” Smith added.

With 17 local junior sides last year, the Colts are committed to nurturing young talent, ensuring future successes for both players and the community.