Jindabyne's future up for discussion as masterplan process starts

The Jindabyne business community has welcomed the State Government’s commitment to revitalising the high country tourist town.

Deputy Premier and Member for Monaro, John Barilaro, and Minister for Planning and Housing, Anthony Roberts have launched the $2.4 million ‘Jindabyne 2036’ masterplan.

“Jindabyne is the gateway to the beautiful Snowy Mountains, it is a thriving town with enormous potential for growth, and proper planning will see Jindabyne become known as the nation’s premier alpine destination,” Mr Barilaro says.

“Jindabyne is home to a landscape that tourists and visitors dream of, but it is also a fantastic place to live, work and raise a family. The master plan will take into account the needs of permanent residents, as well as the region’s tourism needs for the future.”

The Jindabyne 2036 masterplan covers:

• Analysis of the location of future services including schools, health services and community centres;
• A plan to unlock the Lake Jindabyne foreshore, allowing better utilisation of the lake and greater access to the CBD’s focal point;
• A look at the links and opportunities in surrounding towns and villages including Adaminaby, Berridale and Dalgety;
• Sites for future residential and commercial developments;
• The potential of a bypass, taking busy traffic out of the CBD; and
• A redesign of Jindabyne as Australia’s premier alpine destination.

Mr Roberts says some of the best minds within the government have been tasked to help create the masterplan including Lee Shearer APM, who heads the state’s Resource Regulator.

“The end result will be a master plan with a clear vision for the region, taking into account all aspects of the town including tourism, jobs, goods, services, accommodation, housing, roads, local products and more,” he says.

“We will create and build a future-proof plan to deliver for Jindabyne, building on the town’s strengths within the wider Snowy Mountains, a region that welcomes more than 1.3 million visitors a year and which is home to around 35,000 people.

The minister says Ms Shearer will oversee a whole-of-government working group that will include Snowy Monaro Regional Council and other key stakeholders and community members.

President of the Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce, Bruce Easton says community leadership and involvement is key to the plan’s success.

“We see a place for the community to make decisions on what we hope will be a connected and sustainable year-round future supportive of local business, and an economy based on tourism that continually brings new and fresh ideas and people,” Mr Easton says.

“A lifestyle and economy framed around sports, health, the arts, and education continually creating opportunities for a variety of new ventures.”

The Chamber and the Jindabyne Action Group have been advocating for some months on issues including aged care, education, CDB lighting, lake foreshore improvements, housing, and access to technology.

Aside from growing the town’s year-round tourist appeal, one of the key ambitions of both organisations is to build a greater sense of community by attracting more residents and families – beyond the current 2,629 people and 560 families.

“This masterplan will enable a bigger future and vision to develop beyond what may have been possible if Council alone were to have responsibility,” Mr Easton says.

“We as a Chamber need to grasp the opportunity and ensure we provide leadership. We have created an opportunity few communities in regional areas get, to determine how this special place with plentiful access to water and a natural backyard of wild places can create a home for viable and sustainable year-round business opportunities.

“The community needs to come on this journey with us.”

Ms Shearer says the community should grab this opportunity with both hands over the next six months.

“I know some people might have a bit of plan fatigue, it’s not my style to come in and see nothing happen,” she says.

“Things do happen when I am brought in.

“Over the next four to six weeks we will start to shape up how we are going to talk to the community, so when we start to reach out please come and give us your thoughts, this is about you.”

Labor candidate for Monaro Bryce Wilson says he is keen to see the process start.

“2036 is a long way off, what does success look like in five years time?” he askes.

“I hope this isn’t a holding strategy, we need to see some action flowing from this soon.”

Lee Shearer and her team will be in Jindabyne for the first round community consultation on December, 4, 5, and 6.

A series of information sessions will be held with local organisations including with the Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, December 4, 5:30 pm for a 6 pm start at Rydges Snowy Mountains.

A Jindabyne 2036 ‘Communication Bus’ will also be located in the car park of the Nuggets Crossing Shopping Centre over the three days for the community to find out more.

Original Article published by Ian Campbell on About Regional.