Snowy Valleys Shire to Vote on De-Merging into Original Tumut and Tumbarumba Shires

Thursday morning was an historical moment for Snowy Valleys as Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig, along with member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr and member for Albury Justin Clancy converged on Tumut where Minister Hoenig gave his support for council to start preparing for a referendum to vote on a potential de-amalgamation.

The Minister received a report from the NSW Local Government Boundaries Commission on Tuesday 19 August, examining the council’s de-amalgamation proposal, including council’s implementation plan and financial sustainability plan.

In its report, the Boundaries Commission outlines why it recommended supporting the de-amalgamation proposal, “not withstanding the financial challenges a demerged Tumbarumba Shire will face.”

The Minister met with Snowy Valleys Council Mayor Cr Julia Ham, the Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr MP and the Member for Albury Justin Clancy MP, to release the report and discuss the next step in the demerger process.

Snowy Valleys Council has been following the demerger pathway made possible by legislation introduced and passed by the Minns Labor Government last year.

The Council was required to develop a business case for de-amalgamation which was referred to the Boundaries Commission.

The Commission asked Council for more detail on the implementation of the proposal to outline financial impacts (including increases to rates), long term strategic plans, and the capacity of the new councils to deliver services.

Council’s implementation plan was presented to the Commission, which also held public hearings before finalising its recommendations in a report to the Minister.

With the green light to proceed to the next step in the process, Snowy Valleys Council can now go ahead and commence planning for a referendum. This includes public exhibition of the business case and implementation plan.

The Minister made it clear during yesterday’s meeting with the council that as part of this referendum residents must be made aware they will be facing rate increases and other costs to support the demerged councils, so they can make an informed decision.

The Boundaries Commission report details rates in a restored Tumut Shire would increase by almost 15 per cent over seven years and between 45-65 per cent in Tumbarumba over the same period. In addition, there would be a range of increases to various fees and charges including water and sewer, leases and licenses, commercial fees and drainage.

The majority of the whole council area must support this vote for the demerger to proceed.

Minister Hoenig noted the communities of Snowy Valleys weren’t given a choice when the Liberal-National Government forced the amalgamation of Tumut and Tumbarumba councils in 2016.

“It has proven to be another local government disaster inflicted upon regional NSW communities,” he said.

“The impact the amalgamation continues to have on the Council, councillors and staff was made clear by the Boundaries Commission.

“Prior to coming to government, Labor made a commitment to the people of Snowy Valleys that we would support the Council in holding a referendum to vote on a possible demerger.

“I know it’s been a long road to get here, but the work the Council has done putting together a business case has been necessary to ensure demerging would be a viable option.

“If there is majority support in the referendum and residents are prepared to accept the financial costs, then the Council can progress with the transition work required to demerge.

“If the referendum is rejected, the community and the Council must respect that outcome and get on with it.

“The important thing is the communities of Snowy Valleys are given the choice to make this decision for themselves – not have it made for them by the state government which has no mandate to interfere with local democracy.”

At the announcement, Snowy Valleys Council mayor Julia Ham led three cheers, praising the work of advocates in the demerger space, including members of the Save Tumbarumba Shire group who turned out for the event in droves.

“It’s not going to be easy, it is going to be a fight one way or the other,” she told those who attended the announcement.

“It’s not easy to unscramble an egg, but we are excited to see a democratic process going forward.”

Councillor Trina Thomson, who received an honourable mention for her early work in establishing de-amalgamation talks, said the most important thing going forward from now is that people get out and vote in the referendum.

Cr Ham said she hopes to have the referendum and the next stages of the process take place as soon as November or December this year, with a time limit of 12 months imposed through legislation.

Snowy Valleys Council welcomed Minister Hoenig’s announcement that he has approved its de-amalgamation application, moving it to the next stage of the pathway, a constitutional referendum.

With approval now in place, Council will commence the formal process of engaging with the New South Wales Electoral Commission to progress arrangements.

Under the legislation, the referendum must be held within 12 months of the Minister’s approval.

Further details, including the confirmed date and information for voters, will be communicated once arrangements have been finalised with the Electoral Commission.

Acting General Manager Jessica Quilty said, “It’s now over to the community to decide and Council encourages everyone to participate and vote.”

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The original article can be read via this link.

Tumut and Tumbarumba Shires were merged into Snowy Valleys Shire in 2016. The de-merger referendum will be held on Saturday 29/11/25.

The Riverina State group intends all forced council amalgamations to be subject to de-merger referendums.

David Landini

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