THE NSW State Government have committed $196 million in the budget to the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct (SAP) for the next four years.

This amount is less than the $391 million committed for the SAP from the previous government, but that does not mean those other funds are lost. According to Member for Monaro Steve Whan, after the initial funds have been committed to projects, any future projects would be reassessed for funding.

Now being referred to as the Jindabyne activation precinct in a statement from Mr Whan, he said the 40-year vision for Jindabyne and our Alpine Resorts will develop in a sustainable and productive way.

“A change of Government brings fresh eyes to processes and projects that may be bogged down or not what the community was really needing,” said Mr Whan.

“The positive result of that is changes are being made to ensure critical investments are laser focused in delivering new services or infrastructure efficiently.”

“The Minns Government’s first budget has boosted the investment in regional NSW and has ensured the funds from the Snowy Hydro sale that are owed to regional NSW are properly allocated.”

“The Jindabyne special activation precinct will move to the implementation phase based on the master planning and consultation that has been undertaken.”

“Over the next four years $196 million will be spent on the first projects.”

Money for regional NSW now sits in a new regional trust including savings made from several of the SAP areas. Mr Whan indicated there would be a process in the future to see what priorities aligned to receive further funds. These regional funds are from the Snowy Hydro sale.

Mr Whan said work is underway to review and prioritise projects in the Jindabyne area and he will start engaging with key stakeholders to hear what their priorities and needs are for the precinct.

Addressing Housing Supply

“The precinct will continue to have a focus on housing supply, in line with the master plan to address housing shortages and housing diversity in Jindabyne.”

“This will be, and can be, balanced with preserving and maintaining the important environmental and heritage values of the Snowy Mountains.”

There are a number of new subdivisions earmarked for East Jindabyne and the western corridor of the proposed Southern Connector road from the Barry Way towards the mountains. There is potential for the government to acquire Snowy Hydro land in the south of this corridor, plus there will be private development. Snowy Mountains Grammar School have a subdivision planned along Kosciuszko Road and Australian Land Co have several stages in their Mountainside development to the west of Barry Way.

The proposed Southern Connector road western corridor would be essential to make these real estate areas functional.

Sothern Connector Road

This road has always been a key element of the master plan, but it will come at a cost. The complete eastern and western corridors are estimated at $250 million.

“The Southern Connector Road is an important aspect of the Snowy Mountains precinct and will open land for housing and provide an alternative route to access the National Park and ski fields,” said Mr Whan.

“There is funding allocated in the budget for Transport for NSW to continue their planning for the road and developing a realistic cost estimate.”

“The Federal Government committed $100 million towards the delivery of the Southern Connector Road; however, it is important to note the Federal Government is currently undertaking their own infrastructure review. Recommendations from the Federal review should be known soon and will be a key consideration in the prioritisation of projects.”

Mr Whan said one of the first processes would be quantifying the road and working out how much it will actually cost.

In the near future the community may be asked what their priority would be for the Southern Connector, and ideally completing the western side first would make total sense. This was a 40 year master plan, the eastern section of the Sothern Connector from near the tip road to the Barry Way could be built at a later date.

You would think the western section of road associated with the new housing developments would take priority. Plus, if the eastern side was built first, it would only create a hug traffic jam on the Barry Way during winter.

Jindabyne Central School Site

The Jindabyne Central School site has been earmarked for a mixed use of retail and commercial on the ground floor of some buildings. The community would like to see indoor entertainment accommodated here as a focal point to town. There would be green space plus accommodation.

There is no new detail on this site, but planners do envisage seeing multi story buildings and a section for over 55 living. Among the accommodation, the government as owners of the land could also dictate a certain portion be allocated for year round and season rental to assist with seasonal and year round staff.

Hopefully the community can agree on proposed plans for this site and move forward. In the meantime, there has been a push to keep the most useful buildings and use some land for additional parking.

The new school on the Barry Way will be activated in later 2024.

Tourism Products

There is no new detail in what products could be funded from the $196 million in the next four years.

The Lake Foreshore is Jindabyne’s premium summer product, a revamp for the Claypits area at least would be money well spent. Banjo Paterson Park will not flood this year but plans are to raise the park level to avoid future issues on high rainfall years. When this will happen is yet to be determined.

The Adventure Park destined for land from Widows Creek area upwards along the Alpine Way is also a key project for year round tourism. It will be interesting to see how far the government wants to take this product, and how much investment would be needed to complete the mountain bike trails, and any infrastructure and amenities to support it.

Summary

Mr Whan said behind the scenes he had been advocating for the precinct and wants to see things happening in this term of government. Firming up the costing for projects and then consulting with the community will be a priority over coming months.

The Department of Planning and Environment are planning to exhibit the draft Delivery Plan and the Development Control Plans (Jindabyne and Alpine) before the end of the year.

“I know the Government agencies who have been involved with the Plan appreciate the participation and input from the Community Advisory Group and the broader community. They, and I, will update the community as soon as possible in relation to timings around the next steps.”

“I want to see results and I want to see things on the ground,” said Mr Whan.