News

She Hoops Funding Brings Benefits to the Snowy Mountains and Beyond

Basketball in the Snowy Mountains region is set to reach new heights with the injection of nearly $1 million into the She Hoops program, thanks to the Australian Government’s Play Our Way funding.

PHOTO: Basketball Australia will receive almost $1 million in funding from the Australian Government which will allow She Hoops to scale to a new level. CREDIT: Basketball Australia

The substantial grant of $998,000 promises to enhance accessibility and opportunities for women and girls in basketball across 33 locations, benefiting regional areas including Cooma.

The She Hoops initiative, founded by Lauren Jackson AO OLY, is committed to levelling the playing field for female basketball players by providing quality programs that foster both personal and athletic growth.

The programs will be designed to engage local associations and engage a range of basketball skills, with officials, coaches and leaders programs aiming not only to develop skills on the court but also to develop opportunities for the future.

The impact from She Hoops has already been felt at the Cooma Basketball Association with the announcement that local rising star, Skye Adams, has been selected for a She Hoops Scholarship.

A spokesperson for the Cooma Basketball Association praised Skye, saying, “A big congratulations to Cooma junior Skye Adams who has been selected for the She Hoops Scholarship. Those selected will gain valuable coaching and officiating accreditations, alongside mentoring from some of Australia’s top talents.”

Skye, who began her basketball journey in Cooma and currently plays at a representative level for the Queanbeyan Roadrunners, will be part of an enriching program culminating in a three-day immersive camp at the AIS in June. “We are all proud of your achievement, Skye,” the spokesperson added.

The Minister for Sport, Anika Wells, highlighted the broader impacts of such initiatives, noting, “Sport has great benefits for our health and mental health as individuals and brings communities together.”

She Hoops founder Lauren Jackson reflected the sentiment saying, “We appreciate the investment from the Australian Government which will allow us elevate the work of She Hoops.”

“She Hoops was founded with a purpose of addressing the disadvantages in opportunity and resources available in basketball for girls and women in this country. We are invested in delivering programs that encourage everyone to meet their potential, both as participants of the game and as leaders in their communities.” 

Eden-Monaro: Residents Benefiting from NBN Upgrades

Residents and businesses in regional, remote, and rural areas like Eden-Monaro are benefiting from faster broadband and increased data. This improvement comes as a result of the Albanese Government’s completion of $480 million dollars worth of upgrades to NBN Co’s Fixed Wireless and Satellite services.

PHOTO: Residents in Eden-Monaro are enjoying faster internet speeds after NBN upgrades.

In Eden-Monaro, the upgrades have facilitated enhanced internet speeds and data capacity for around 14,500 premises in the region. The investment marks a substantial improvement, with fixed wireless download speeds more than doubling from previous averages.

The upgrades provide essential support for businesses, aid remote working capabilities, and provide access to key online services.

Kristy McBain, Member for Eden-Monaro, highlighted the upgrade’s transformative impact on the region: “Having reliable internet isn’t just a nice to have, it’s an absolute necessity – which is why we continue to get on with the job of connecting more people across Eden-Monaro to high-speed broadband,” Ms McBain said.

“Connecting these 14,500 premises to faster speeds is part of our record investment in the NBN, because regional communities deserve affordable, reliable services – just like you’d expect in the city.”

In addition to the fixed wireless improvements, NBN Co has enhanced the Sky Muster satellite service, offering unlimited data and download speeds of up to 100 Mbps, crucial for the more than 200,000 remote users across Australia.

The upgrades utilise advanced 4G and 5G technology, significantly extending service reach and efficiency. According to Michelle Rowland, Minister for Communications, “Fast, reliable, affordable internet is an essential building block of any modern economy, boosting productivity, enabling innovation and creating jobs.”

Shared Trail Upgrades Close to Getting Green Light

At the ordinary Council meeting on Thursday February 20, Snowy Monaro Regional Council (SMRC) will bring to the agenda the DA outcome for the consolidation and formalisation of the Tyrolean and Mill Creek trail network surrounding Lake Jindabyne.

 

PHOTO: Shared trail network site.

The project is set to get the green light for a significant upgrade and expansion. The development will see 29 km of existing trails consolidated and refreshed, alongside new developments like the construction of a new car park off Rainbow Drive and associated amenities, aiming to address current parking limitations caused by increased visitor traffic.

PHOTO: Proposed amenities building plans.

The upgrades include 7.64 km of new trails, with a part dedicated to downhill flow tracks catering to riders’ preferences, and the renovation of 16.94 km of existing tracks. Additionally, 3.2 km of existing trails is set for rehabilitation and closure.

A spokesperson for the Jindabyne Trail Stewardship (JTS) who have been an integral part of getting the project off the ground said, “The JTS is very excited to see the Tyrolean Trails DA refurbishment upcoming vote.”

“This is a project the JTS fully supports and have been working with council on for many years. The whole community will benefit from this project through improved shared trails for walkers and riders as well as new trails for bike riders.”

PHOTO: JTS is dedicated to the maintenance of trails. CREDIT: JTS

In what’s been a lengthy process, beginning as a concept plan in 2021, the development application has now satisfied the assessing officer that it complies with the provisions of the Snowy River Local Environment Plan 2013 (SRLEP) and the Snowy River Development Control Plan 2013 (SRDCP), and recommends that the application be approved with conditions.

The project has progressed through a number of considerations such as the need to reduce the operational footprint along trails, the management of increased traffic, and safety measures to deal with dual-direction trail conflicts.

The application was open for submissions for an extended 28 day period, during which time three submissions were received, one submission claiming the DA didn’t “clearly address the environmental impact”, highlighting tree removal, and degradation of open spaces as concerns.

PHOTO: Maintenance of trail networks. CREDIT: JTS

The Assessing Officer found the application had provided the required reports and documentation including a Biodiversity Development Assessment Report, and that it had been reviewed by the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation, who provided a letter of concurrence and recommendation for conditions of consent.

An environmental impact assessment identified several key considerations in the trail area such as significant riparian zones and areas of high biodiversity value. Potential impacts looked at included, the disruption of significant vegetation types, such as Snow Gum woodlands and habitats for threatened fauna species, including the Gang-gang Cockatoo and Scarlet Robin.

PHOTO: Threatened Gang-gang Cockatoo takes flight.

Under the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) (Koala Habitat Protection) 2021, the SEPP requires that before granting consent for development on land over one hectare in area, a consent authority must be satisfied as to whether or not the land contains potential koala habitat, or core koala habitat. 

Issues regarding Koala sightings and feed trees were addressed with the assessment finding the proposed application is “confined to narrow corridors”, and the development would have “minimal overall impact on vegetation”.

The assessment also noted that while there have been koala sightings to the east of the site, the development is “not expected to disrupt any feeding corridors.” The existing woodland areas will remain untouched, and would allow the koalas that live to the east to continue using these corridors if required.

PHOTO: Koala sightings map.

An Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report highlighted the presence of 20 heritage sites, necessitating the implementation of conditions to minimise disturbances during construction.

The study revealed various surface artefacts located along existing trails and several areas of potential archaeological deposits. Appropriate mitigation measures were suggested, with eight of the sites to be entirely avoided, ten facing partial impact, and two experiencing total impact due to the proposed activities.

The report found, once constructed, the trail network is not considered “likely to impact” on any tangible expressions of Aboriginal cultural heritage. General terms of approval were provided by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

With these latest developments, the shared trail network is poised to become a key recreational highlight in the region, attempting to marry both progress, and ecological stewardship.

Delegate Water Supply Interruption: February 2025

Snowy Monaro Regional Council (SMRC) has scheduled water infrastructure works in Delegate for the morning of Saturday February 22, 2025, weather permitting. Council advised the water supply for all residents and businesses will be temporarily turned off while work is underway.

Essential Information:Delegate water supply interruption
Where:    Delegate, all properties connected to town water
Date:    Saturday 22 February 2025
Time:    7am to 12pm

A spokesperson for SMRC said, “We do everything we can to ensure local water clarity isn’t negatively affected by our work. Despite our best efforts, you may see some cloudy water coming from your taps following this interruption.”

“You can run an outside tap for a few minutes after 12pm, as a precaution, to clear out any cloudy water that might have made it into the plumbing at your property.”

“If you’d like to speak with us about this interruption, phone 1300 345 345 or contact the team by email at council@snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au to get in touch.”

“Thank you for your patience and understanding while this work is underway.”

Twin Tons and Lots of Runs

Round 8 of the Monaro District Cricket Association Senior Men’s One Day Competition was highlighted by twin tons and big totals in an all important weekend of cricket in the Snowy Mountains.

Dalgety hosted the Jindabyne Tigers in the only lower scoring match of the round, seeing a very close contest.

Dalgety batted first and were restricted to 8/136 from 40 overs. It was an all round stellar bowling display from Jindabyne considering they were a player short.

John Stanford was in the runs again, stitching together the Dalgety innings and notching up a score of 48 to continue his run of good form. Stanford was well supported by Owen Freebody (37), who fell to Lucas Rixon. Rixon claimed 2/9 from 8 overs of superb bowling which included four maidens.

In response, Jindabyne were 3/81 at drinks, Captain Lucas Rixon led the way with a half century. Five more wickets fell leaving Chad Stevens and Cooper Tickell at the crease, and with the game well and truly on the line, the pair managed to get the Tigers home with just eight balls to spare, Stevens remained not out on 31.

The Dalgety opening bowlers were effective, Aaron Fenton was the pick of the pair with his figures of 3/21 from eight overs, Owen Freebody claimed 3/24 from eight.

Senior Jindabyne Tigers player Issac Dawson said the win was highlighted by a heart warming moment for the club, with Vice Captain Dave Tickell’s son playing his first senior game.

“Cooper Tickell didn’t even want to play juniors at the start of the year, and yesterday outscored his old man and helped us snatch victory from the jaws of defeat,” Dawson said.

PHOTO: Cooper Tickell (right) with Chad Stevens (left) in his first senior game for the Jindabyne Tigers.

In a spectacular round 8 showdown at Rotary Oval, Cooma, Bombala Cricket Club emerged victorious against the Cooma Titans in the Monaro District Cricket Senior Men’s One Day Competition. Led by Jason Cikos’s extraordinary innings, Bombala set a formidable target, overcoming Cooma Titans by 27 runs.

Bombala Cricket Club’s performance was highlighted by Jason Cikos, whose impressive innings of 174 runs dazzled spectators and dismantled the Cooma bowling lineup. “Cikos’s ability to rotate the strike and his precision in boundary-hitting made all the difference,” remarked a spokesperson from Bombala Cricket Club.

Supporting Cikos, Oliver Chapman contributed a steady 33 off 86 balls, helping stablise after initial setbacks. Bombala’s score of 5/255 in 40 overs set a daunting challenge for the Titans.

Despite a promising start, Cooma Titans’ innings struggled under the precision bowling of Bombala’s J. Sullivan, who took a brilliant five-wicket haul, restricting Cooma to 228 off 37.5 overs. “Sullivan’s accuracy and strategic variations were key in disrupting Cooma’s chase,” the Bombala spokesperson added.

Acknowledging the spirit of the game, Cooma allowed their junior players to field for Bombala, showcasing commendable sportsmanship. The thrilling match underscored the essence of competitive yet friendly cricket.

In an electrifying match at Berridale, the Berridale Whitetails stunned Coffey’s Cricket Club with a formidable victory in Round 8.

Berridale amassed a staggering 5/350 in 40 overs. Star batsman Justin McCarey was unstoppable, smashing 107 runs off just 51 balls. His explosive innings, punctuated by seven fours and 10 sixes, set a blistering pace.

Berridale Captain Russell Haylock (56) from 84 balls, and Zac McKenzie (98) from 56 balls, kept the scoring rate ticking along, with McKenzie narrowly missing a century.

Kye Harrison was the best of the Coffey’s bowlers, he picked up 2/39 from six overs. Harrison is proving to be a go-to option for the club, and was admirable on a day when most of the bowling attack was taxed heavily.

Despite Nathan Thompson’s valiant 67* for Coffey’s in which he played the senior role, the chase was too steep. Thompson was supported by Nick Moon (25), and Hunter Caldwell (30), but ultimately, Berridale’s bowlers were far too economical, culminating in Coffey’s first defeat of the season.

Alex Thompson bowled exceptionally well for the Whitetails. The opening bowler delivered an impressive performance, recording 0/19 from 8 overs, including two maidens. This effort was crucial in slowing Coffey’s scoring pace. Zac McKenzie backed up his performance with the bat and also bowled efficiently claiming 1/20 from his seven overs.

Rhythm host the Cooma Titans in round 9, Dalgety travel to Berridale, Bombala are at home to Jindabyne, and Coffey’s have the week off.

Delivering a Safer Brown Mountain

OPINION PIECE

Member for Eden-Monaro Kristy McBain:

As a major highway linking the Coast with Canberra, we all know how vital Brown Mountain is for our community.

I drive up and down Brown Mountain several times a week and, like you, know how frustrating the continual landslips, rockfalls and delays are.

These issues aren’t new – we’ve been tackling closures for decades.

The Highway is state government-owned, and the Federal Government has been partnering with the Minns Government to repair the damaged road.

Two landslip sites were recently completed, with almost 150 soil nails installed – each up to 11 metres long – into the damaged slope and under the road, and more than 700 metres squared of mesh and sprayed concrete to secure the area and prevent further erosion. Work is planned on a further two landslip sites, which are due to be completed by the end of this year.

Dollars talk when it comes to road repairs – more than $7.09 million has been spent in disaster recovery funding for Brown Mountain repairs by the Labor NSW state and Labor federal governments since we came to government.

This is significantly more than the $4.06 million spent by the Liberal NSW state and Liberal federal governments between 2015 and 2022.

The fact is, we’re getting on with delivering these important upgrades, not just whinging about it.

Improving road safety is a priority of the Albanese Government – we have doubled Roads to Recovery funding, which has seen local governments in Eden-Monaro receive a funding boost of more than $26.3 million. This takes the program’s funding to more than $63 million dollars over the next five years for our region.

We’ve increased the Road Black Spot Program, rising from $110 million to $150 million, meaning more money for improving some of the most dangerous sections of our roads.

The new Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program has $200 million available per year, $50 million more than was available for the two programs it replaced.

We have also committed to improving data collection, providing $21.2 million to the National Road Safety Data Hub, and providing $10.8 million for a National Road Safety and awareness campaign.

There is no doubt that we need a long-term solution for the Snowy Mountains Highway, which is something I have been advocating for in my time as Mayor of the Bega Valley and as the Member for Eden-Monaro.

But your voice is important too. The Strategic Regional Integrated Transport Plan (SRITP) for South East and Tablelands is currently seeking community feedback.

The plan will provide a 20-year vision of the key transport priorities for our region. You can have your say at www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/sritp/south-east-and-tablelands

I will continue to work with the community to deliver the services and infrastructure our community needs – including a safe Brown Mountain.

It’s critical for our safety, economy and way of life that the road is made more reliable and I’m getting on with the job of delivering it.

Cannonball MTB Festival 2025: A Thrilling Week in the Snowy Mountains

Thredbo was once again the epicentre of mountain biking exhilaration as it hosted the 2025 Cannonball MTB Festival, presented by Boost Mobile, drawing 750 competitors and thousands of enthusiastic spectators. This thrilling event, celebrating its 11th anniversary, proved to be an unforgettable week of intense racing and vibrant festival vibes.

PHOTO: Thredbo’s MTB Festival celebrates 11th anniversary – Supplied.

The festival, recognised as a cornerstone event in the Australian mountain biking calendar, featured six major events including the much-anticipated Oakley Pump Track Challenge and the Rockshox Australian Open Downhill.

Tim Windshuttle, Thredbo MTB Business Manager, remarked, “Cannonball MTB Festival continues to stand out as a premier event in the Australian mountain biking calendar. Seeing our local riders and ambassadors take centre stage at an internationally recognised event is, and has always been, a defining moment of this festival.”

Despite the challenges brought by unpredictable weather, Thredbo’s community and organisers ensured a seamless execution of all events. The final day witnessed the rescheduled Oakley Pump Track Challenge where Caroline Buchanan dominated the women’s category, while Bailey Mears snagged the top spot in the men’s.

PHOTO: After a delayed start, competitors were eager to claim victory in the Oakley Pump Track Challenge.

Riding high on adrenaline, the Rockshox Australian Open Downhill took centre stage, attracting 562 competitors to tackle the legendary Cannonball Downhill course. With the largest cash prizes in Australian downhill history, stakes were high. Troy Brosnan emerged victorious in the pro men’s category, while Sian A’Hern triumphed in the women’s category, showcasing her unparalleled prowess.

PHOTO: Rockshox Australian Open Downhill took centre stage in Thredbo.

The climax of the festival was the crowning of the 2025 King and Queen of Cannonball. After amassing points over various competitions, Sian A’Hern and Luke Meier-Smith were officially declared the festival champions, a testament to their consistent performances across the week’s events.

Beyond the thrilling races, the festival has proven to be a major draw card for the Snowy Mountains region, providing significant economic benefits through the influx of visitors.

PHOTO: Sian A’Hern and Luke Meier-Smith were crowned the 2025 King and Queen of Cannonball.

As the festival wrapped up amidst the jubilant Boost Mobile Cannonball Afterparty featuring Babe Rainbow, anticipation already builds for what the 2026 edition will bring.

Cooma Correctional Centre Linked to Claims Scandal: Investigations Launched

In a shocking revelation, investigations into fraudulent child sexual abuse compensation claims have revealed that one third of inmates at Cooma Correctional Centre have submitted allegedly deceitful applications.

This discovery is part of a wider investigation into a sophisticated crime syndicate alleged to have coached individuals to falsely claim compensation under schemes including the National Redress Scheme.

The alleged operation was uncovered following the arrest of seven individuals, including the alleged masterminds of the scheme — 23-year-old Ky Manser from the Gold Coast and a 55-year-old man from Sydney.

PHOTO: Seven people have been charged following the discovery of alleged fraudulent child sexual abuse compensation claims – Supplied NSW Police.

Detective Superintendent Gordon Arbinja commented, “This is just the tip of the iceberg. We’ve got a very, very large problem here.”

Superintendent Arbinja further explained the operation’s mechanics: “Detectives revealed there were several claims farmers that were spooking for business… They coached and incited several people to make false claims.”

The so-called “claims farmers” would allegedly submit these falsified claims to Sydney law firms to receive a kickback of $2,200 per claim, the profits referred to as ‘bum money’.

The Superintendent went on to say, “I can’t say whether they (law firms) knew they (claims) weren’t true, that’s still under investigation.

“I can say now that on a typical claim, a $300,000 claim, which is average in this scheme, the law firm would take at least a half of that in fees.”

In light of these revelations, police executed search warrants at a law firm in Sydney, seizing documents that may implicate other firms.

PHOTO: Police arrest one of the seven, a 52-year-old woman in Horsley.

Superintendent Arbinja reassured legitimate victims, stating, “The New South Wales Police support legitimate victims. They should be compensated, and that’s why the system was introduced in the first place.”

However, he pointed out the system’s vulnerabilities, noting its exploitation by the syndicate due to its low threshold, which was originally set in good faith to aid genuine victims.

“It’s a low threshold… So what we intend to do, is work with our state partners, and we’ve had dialogue with the government to strengthen the scheme.”

The impact of such fraudulent claims has been substantial, with the scheme reportedly outlying nearly $1.3 billion. Superintendent Arbinja highlighted the severity of the situation: “All I can talk about is the ones that I’m looking at, and I can tell you now the overwhelming majority, if not all, were fraudulent.”

Investigations have been underway since February last year, and in a decisive move, police intervention prevented a further $30 million at least, from being paid in dubious claims.

Bliss n Eso to Ignite Jindabyne with ‘Party on the Moon’ Tour in August 2025

Australian hip-hop legends Bliss n Eso have announced an upcoming stop in Jindabyne as part of their epic ‘Party on the Moon’ Australian tour.

PHOTO: Australian Hip Hop pioneers Bliss n Eso announce gig in Jindabyne.

On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, the dynamic pair will perform at The Station, offering local fans a unique opportunity to experience their high-energy performance.

The tour spans from May to August 2025, celebrating the release of their latest album, The Moon (The Light Side), due out on April 11th. Bliss n Eso, who have been pioneers of Australian hip-hop for over two decades, promise a show filled with explosive energy, curated from their nostalgic return to the “golden era of party-rocking hip-hop vibes”.

“Making our new album The Moon (The Light Side) was honestly one of the most fun times we’ve had in the studio in years. We wanted to return to the essence of what made us fall in love with Hip Hop when we were kids,” said Bliss.

“We’ve been blessed to have built up an incredible fan base over the years and when making this album we constantly envisioned playing these new songs and the electric energy they would create between us and the crowd. We’re so pumped to take it to the next level on this tour and to bring this album to life for the first time.”

Bliss n Eso’s ‘Party on the Moon’ tour will give fans a chance to enjoy their new tracks like ‘Feeling Fly’ and ‘Party on the Moon’. Joining Bliss n Eso on this tour is the talented Melbourne rapper, singer, and songwriter Ivan Ooze, promising a night full of electrifying performances.

Frontier Member presale commences Tuesday 18 February 11am local time before the on sale on Thursday 20 February 11am local time. Tickets and tour info via: frontiertouring.com/blissneso.

Limited VIP / Meet & Greet / vinyl / merch bundles available for all shows via: frontiertouring.com/blissneso

Adaminaby Pool: Staff Shortages Cause Two Day Closure

Snowy Monaro Regional Council (SMRC) advised Adaminaby Pool will be closed on Monday 17 February and Tuesday 18 February 2025 due to ongoing staff shortages.

The pool will reopen as-normal from 1pm on Wednesday 19 February 2025. A Spokesperson for SMRC said, “Council appreciates the community’s patience in light of these staffing-related closures, and continues to work on a solution.”

“Despite our efforts to secure coverage of these shifts, including reaching out to former employees and contractors, we have been unable to find the number of suitably qualified staff that are required keep the pool open safely.”

For more information about public pools in the Snowy Monaro, please visit https://qrco.de/SMRCpools or email us at council@smrc.nsw.gov.au.