Nearly $200 million has been promised for several projects in the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct. Pictured are Chris Hanna, Tara Moriarty and Steve Whan. Photo: Supplied.
Jindabyne has secured $196 million in government funding to be spread across projects addressing water, tourism and housing in the region.
The NSW Government has committed the funding to the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct (SAP).
SAPs are six focused areas across the state where the NSW Government is working to provide economic development and infrastructure.
The money will be put towards a range of seven priority projects, including a new water treatment plant for Jindabyne, upgrades to the Jindabyne sewage treatment plant, and future-proofing of Jindabyne’s electrical, water and sewer infrastructure.
Snowy Monaro Regional Council Mayor Chris Hanna said the water and sewerage infrastructure upgrades would make a real difference.
“Over the last couple of years, we’ve had so many water boil alerts, and the community and our tourists deserve to have this amazing new facility.”
As of February 2024, Jindabyne had five boil water alerts, leaving the town without drinkable tap water for a total of 41 days over two years.
The issues with the water treatment system result from a combination of severe weather events, low lake levels and being in proximity to the Mowamba aqueduct.
“Our tourists and our visitors and our local community should be able to flush their toilets and not worry about it after that,” Councillor Hanna said.
“This is what it’s going to do: it’s going to set Jindabyne up for the future.”
Money will also be put towards building the region’s tourism industry by supporting Aboriginal tourism businesses and creating a Jindabyne Mountain Bike and Adventure Park, and improvements for the Lake Jindabyne Foreshore.
The priority projects also include plans for land acquisition for future housing development (including affordable housing projects) and to preserve the corridor for the Southern Connector Road, despite $100 million in federal government funding being cut in the Albanese Government’s review of infrastructure spending.
Member for Monaro Steve Whan said the commitments would bring long-term benefits to Jindabyne and the surrounding region.
“What we’ve got here is a great start on some really significant projects that will set the scene for future growth,” he said.
“The water, the sewerage and the electricity [infrastructure] upgrades give us that framework to actually develop for the future, and that’s really important.
“The mountain bike park is something that I know people have been pushing for for some time.”
The NSW Government will work closely with Snowy Monaro Regional Council to deliver the seven priorities, and also explore future opportunities.
“Preparing for the tourism advantages that will come as a result of this infrastructure investment is a very big deal and we’re very proud to be part of delivering this, and working with the local community and with the local council,” Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said.
“It’s a very significant investment in the future of Jindabyne.
“What we have done is focus on what is actually needed and deliverable for this community right now.”
Further information on the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct can be found on NSW Government’s website.
Original Article published by Claire Sams on About Regional.
