Voters in Snowy Valleys in upheaval despite secessionist maneuvers on the road to elections

Primary voting for the 2024 New South Wales local government elections began on Saturday (7 September), but Snowy Valley voters remain in a period of transition while their future remains in the hands of the New South Wales Government.

Residents, particularly those of Tumbarumba, have been demanding a change of fortune since 2016, when the then state government forcibly merged the former shires of Tumut and Tumbarumba, sparking social discord in the western foothills of the Snowy Mountains.

Experts say locals feel like they're living in no man's land, not knowing whether the council they elect in this election will see them through the next four-year term or whether they'll have to push for the next election if their secession efforts ultimately succeed.

The LGA with 10,472 voters in an area of ​​8,961 square kilometers is represented by nine city councilors.

The first voter-led efforts to secede can be traced back to 2019 and ended with then Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock rejecting those efforts two years later due to a lack of consensus and instead ordering an independent statutory review examining the membership composition, functions and processes of the NSW Local Government Boundaries Commission (LGBC).

But in September 2023, it was the Snowy Valleys Council that decided to put forward a business case in a second spin-off attempt.

This was given the green light by Labor's local government minister Ron Hoenig and led to LGBTC-organised public hearings in Tumut and Tumbarumba in May this year.

An extended deadline meant that applications for the separation could be accepted until June 2024, but things have been anything but quiet in Snowy Valleys, with the council cutting key services, including town and village libraries, in the face of rising costs and the rejection of a 35 per cent special tariff change.

One group and eleven individual candidates – seven of whom have served on the council in previous terms – have put themselves forward for the 2024 local elections.

About Regional asked every candidate they could reach about their top priorities if elected. They are listed below in ballot order.

The three-candidate Group A is led by Michael Inglis, from Little River, near Tumut, and also includes Barney Hyams and Max Gordon-Hall, both from Batlow, who say they bring a force of skill, commitment, transparency and accountability to restore confidence in the Snowy Valleys shire.

As for the individual candidates, retired CEO Hugh Packard, from Bombowlee, near Tumut, has prioritised ensuring that the Snowy Valleys Council remains viable, effective and efficient, and as responsive as possible to current and future needs of the community.

He is also committed to working with the municipality to undertake medium and long-term strategic planning to ensure that municipal services support and promote a sustainable future.

Tumut resident Andrew Wort describes himself as a singing broommaker whose goal is to balance the budget and get the council's finances in order. He says he will represent all of the Snowy Valleys by making decisions that benefit everyone, while supporting local cultural and community events.

On the west side of the LGA, teacher and education consultant Julia Ham of Oberne Creek is running for re-election. Her priorities are financial sustainability, a resolution of the split, an updated local environmental plan, civic engagement on proposed renewable energy projects and support for local infrastructure projects.

Another Little River resident, business owner David Sheldon, cites his priorities as restoring citizen confidence in the council, an open-book policy and – from a financial perspective – restoring council's four-fold profit margin while exploring alternative revenue streams and ensuring operating plans are aligned to achieving strategic plan goals.

Former Adelong mayor and teacher James Hayes is also seeking re-election to Snowy Valleys Council, campaigning for transparent, coherent, collaborative and consultative communications. He believes the impact of forced amalgamation and cost-shifting on Council finances should be emphasised to the State Government, but he is forward-looking. He says communities have a lot to gain in terms of amenities, facilities and opportunities by working together. Attracting and retaining skilled staff remains one of his highest priorities.

The current councillor, Batlow businessman Sam Hughes, says the merger and the council's financial stability are historically linked.

In his view, the structural deficit is a challenge for all regional councils and to address it, changes are needed in all parts of the community and a dynamic team of councillors.

Tumut video producer Grant Hardwick says he wants to be a voice for the community while promoting transparency within the council.

Former mayor of Tumut Shire and deputy mayor of Snowy Valleys, Trina Thomson, is also seeking re-election.

She has just retired after working for the Department of Education for more than 46 years. The three most important tasks for the new council are the recruitment and appointment of a chief executive, financial sustainability and greater engagement from all council members across the LGA.

Bookham retailer and wool producer Johanna (Hansie) Armour says if re-elected her priority would be to restore the trust – between taxpayers and the council, and between councillors and staff – that was so badly damaged by the forced merger in 2016.

In addition, she wants to restore the Council's financial basis in order to stop the downward spiral and restore transparency to daily operations.

At the time of publication, no specific information could be found on the priorities of former Snowy Valleys Deputy Mayor John Larter (Mondongo) or incumbent Tumut Councillor and Local Fire Chief Michael Ivill.

Some candidates provide information on their qualifications to stand as councillors and their priorities on the NSW Electoral Commission website. This website also provides details of polling station locations.