AN allegation that Snowy Valleys Council had used some of the Bushfire Recovery Grant monies for ‘general revenue’ purposes has now found to be ‘unfounded’.
Questions first arose when Batlow resident, Barney Hyams claimed that some of the grants went into ‘SVC General Revenue’, following a report from the New South Wales Auditor-General’s Report on the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery project (BLER) grants, which states that $71 million came to the Council.
However, former interim general manager, Steven Pinnuck emphatically denied the claim in a letter to the editor stating, “….there are allegations that Snowy Valleys Council management may have used the BLER funding as general revenue……. this is blatantly untrue.”
It was reported (February 11 Tumut & Adelong Times) that the Snowy Valleys Council received some $71million funding for projects across the whole shire.
Since that article was published a search has been ongoing for the actual figures from the outcomes of the funding rounds.
Mr Pinnuck in denying any wrong use by Council of BRER funding during his time as interim general manager, said the grants allocated to Council total $30,930.000, which when added to other recipient grants of $37,610,188 added to $68,540,188.
Mr Pinnock said these funds are not unaccounted for, and in addition to the projects referred to by The Times, also include timber processing related projects awarded to private enterprise worth $10M each, and the SVC Sculpture Trail which is a separate body to Council for $4M.
This was supported by the now Acting General Manager Jessica Quilty who stated ‘Council completely denies the allegation as it’s factually incorrect’.
From the list acquired through council a combined funding of $37,610,188, this was clarified as the report stated, “Other projects funded in the LGA amounted to $37,610,188”.
A further $6,174,992 was estimated in a report passed on from Senator Molan’s (Eden-Monaro) which included The Tumbarumba Chamber of Commerce for the Tumbarumba and Upper Murray Energy Resilience and reliability Project with funding of more than $1.482m.
Among the top grants received by council was the ongoing project of the Snowy Valley Emergency Evacuation Centre and Multi-purpose facility which gained an original grant of some $10,690,000.
Other larger projects include Tumut Aerodrome improvements – ($12,500,000) expected to be completed by 30 June 2025, and the Snowy Valleys itinerant worker accommodation Batlow Caravan Park – owned and operated by Council – ($3,950,000).
The three swimming pools to be upgraded (Batlow, Tumut and Khancoban – $2,310,000) – all three swimming pool upgrades have been completed.
A further list of projects under BRER funding was obtained from the office of Senator Jim Molan, then member for Eden-Monaro Federal electorate.
It was noted that the last entry on this list (Senator Molan) was for the Tumut Rugby League Football Club ($830,350), Twickenham Recreation and Community Emergency Reserve – a designated open space for emergency use.
Also in this listing were further projects attributed to Snowy Valleys – Batyr Australia Limited $102,890 – mental health support for youth; Courabrya Public Hall amenities building (Council owned); Cycle Tumbarumba ($3,086,000) – completed by the mountain bike cycle tracks; Enterprising Batlow Inc – ($284,160) Pippins of Batlow café – project not completed.
One of the components of the additional list was a Green Rebuild Toolkit distributed to Snowy Valleys Council along with many other councils across NSW and Victoria.
Ms Quilty explained that the Green Rebuild Toolkit distributed to Snowy Valleys Council along with many other councils across NSW and Victoria – total was some $161million which Snowy Valley Council had access to.
Ms Quilty explained that Council didn’t get a ‘share’ as such, it was a toolkit that the members of community could use to re-build their homes for future bushfire resistance.
“They could also book one on one meetings with renew (the not for profit behind the toolkit) for further advice,” Ms Quilty said.
Additional projects listed – and although attributed to Snowy Valleys, included the Rotary Club of Batlow – resilience hub and men’s shed ($465,120), believed to be completed; Scout Association of Australia (Riverina) – Snowy Valleys share in more than $5million; Tumbarumba Chamber of Commerce – ($1.482m) for Tumbarumba and Upper Murray Emergency Resilience in Reliable Communities; Tumbarumba Equine Club ($800,000) – Upgrade and expansion of club facilities – believed to be completed; Tumut Art Society ($107,460) – RegenART – recreating a positive future gala touring & visual exhibition – believed to have been completed.
Editor’s Note:
The Times appreciates Mr Pinnuck’s clarifications on SVC grants and apologises for any inference of wrong doing regarding the grants reporting.
Grant reviews, their funding, allocation, and performance outcomes continue as a work in progress for the newspaper, covering projects funded under the BRER and other programs. Community feedback is welcome, emailed to [email protected]
