THE NSW Government have today announced seven projects that will be funded as part of the $196.3 million Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct (SAP) master plan.

As expected, Jindabyne will acquire a new water treatment plant and upgrades of the sewage treatment plant. No breakdown of the money was provided but these two projects will take up the bulk of the $196.3 funding.

In exciting news on the tourism front, the Jindabyne Mountain Bike Adventure Park will be funded. The government have acquired the land on the southern side of the Alpine Way in Jindabyne and will activate the park.

The Lake Jindabyne Foreshore has been allocated money for planning only. Actual foreshore works will not be part of this funding. The planning and design will elevate the project to be shovel ready for when future grant money or funding is available. The time frame on actual works commencing is not likely to occur until the next government term when funding can be sourced.

Attending the announcement today in Jindabyne were Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW Tara Moriarty, Member for Monaro Steve Whan, Snowy Monaro Regional Council Mayor Chris Hanna and key members of the Regional Growth NSW Development Corporation.

Minister Moriarty said the NSW Government is delivering the projects and providing upgrades of ageing facilities, enhancing year-round tourism, community amenities and housing supply.

“These are all practical and sustainable improvements that will make Jindabyne an even better place for residents, workers and visitors,” said Minister Moriarty.

Member for Monaro Steve Whan said these projects are an exciting development that will set our community up for the future.

“I’m delighted that our Government is starting work on a new water treatment plant to provide year-round safe drinking water for Jindabyne residents, businesses and tourists, which will put an end to the town’s boil water alerts,” said Mr Whan.

“The Snowy Mountains are an environmentally sensitive area, so the investment in sewerage treatment and infrastructure is critical and urgent. It will ensure Jindabyne is equipped with the modern facilities it needs to continue to grow and thrive.”

Mayor Chris Hanna welcomed the news of the upgraded infrastructure and thanked the state government for their investment and commitment to the SAP.

“The critical infrastructure will not only improve amenity and services but improve Jindabyne’s standing as a year-round tourist destination,” said Mayor Hanna.

“The Snowy Mountains are renowned for sports tourism, but we’re delighted with the Jindabyne Mountain Bike and Adventure Park investment, which will put Jindabyne on the map as a must visit location for mountain bikers and families seeking excellent downhill trails and modern facilities.”

Key Points and Projects Funded

• 1 - New Water Treatment Plant

After multiple boil water alerts after heavy rain, this will ensure the current and future Jindabyne community and visitors enjoy safe drinking water year-round.

• 2 - Upgraded Sewage Treatment Plant

To deliver robust, reliable and sustainable sewage treatment that protects public health and the environment for future generations. (A new pumping station will also be fast tracked for the Sport and Recreation precinct where the new school is being built.)

• 3 - Electrical, Water and Sewer Network Upgrades

Provide high quality and reliable services for the growing Jindabyne community.

• 4 - Acquisition of Land – Southern Connector Road Corridor

Land has been acquired for the Southern Connector corridor from near the tip entry road to west of Essential Energy on Kosciuszko Road. This includes land for housing in Western Jindabyne, south of the proposed Southern Connector road.

• 5 - Jindabyne Mountain Bike and Adventure Park

An initial investment to activate and attract year-round tourism and enhance recreation amenities in the region. Government now owns this land and new mountain bike trails will be built. There will be no lift or gondola as was originally mentioned.

• 6 - Aboriginal Product Development Program

Build the capabilities of Aboriginal tourism businesses in the region.

• 7 - Lake Jindabyne Foreshore – Planning and Design of Upgrades.

This will be planned to shovel ready to improve amenity, community facilities and access.  Future funding would be required to actually commence work and subject to the next tranche of government investment at a future date.

Planning for projects has been ongoing in the background and are expected to start as soon as possible. The bigger projects could take up to 2-4 years to be fully completed.

The master plan has been over five years in the making, starting in 2018 as Go Jindabyne before evolving into the Special Activation Precinct.

The community will welcome the news of a $196.3 million investment into Jindabyne, but the original focus of the master plan was targeted at year-round tourism, with an emphasis on summer plus more connectivity around town. At present we only have 1 of those projects funded, the adventure park.

It is hoped the Lake Foreshore will see upgrades at the next funding opportunity to assist in the summer tourism market.

The whole CBD area and specifically the Town Centre were earmarked for improvements. While the planning around these improvements may be included in documents only at present, the community were hopeful these would come to fruition in the first tranche of projects.

Minister Moriarty was asked about the funding cut from the original $396 million allocated by the previous state government. She responded by saying $200 million is a significant investment in the local community we are making today.

“I would argue that there weren't really detailed plans in place for what that money may or may not have been allocated for. What we have done is focus on what is actually needed and deliverable for this community right now. So investing in infrastructure like the sewage plant and the water plant is what this community needs right now. We've got money on the table right now, to be investing in what's required here. And as we've said today, this is a long-term plan to continue to work with the community of Jindabyne about what people across this region need and want to enhance the community going forward. We'll continue that work with the community and we'll continue that investment well into the future,” said Minister Moriarty.

Commenting on the funding, Steve Whan said “what we've done in government now is turn a lot of discussion, a lot of commitments into actual money on the ground.”

“The 196 million is what's been identified for this next term of government so it's probably not the end of the story. We've got things which we want to keep trying to get funding for,” said Mr Whan.

“We'll still be looking to supplement that as we move forward. It's a long-term plan, but government budgets only go for the next few years and the forward estimates.”

(more stories to come in coming weeks on the master plan)