Multipurpose and Evacuation Centre

18 June 2025

The Southern Regional Planning Panel (SRPP) held a public meeting in Tumut on Wednesday, 11 June 2025 to consider the Development Application (DA) for the MEC. The application is now under assessment, with the panel reviewing submissions from the meeting and requesting additional shadow diagrams from the applicant (Council). Additional information provided during the meeting has been uploaded to the Planning Panels website. An audio recording of the meeting, which the panel is required to make publicly available, will also be published on the website. The panel will update the website once a determination has been made.

https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/planning-panel/demolition-existing-structures-and-construction-recreation-facility-indoor-multipurpose-evacuation-centre

2 June 2025

The Southern Region Planning Panel has advised that they will hold a public meeting in Tumut at 9am on Wednesday, 11 June 2025, to consider the Development Application (DA) for the MEC.

Anyone interested in speaking or listening to the meeting must register via this link https://forms.office.com/r/EqTGUScvSW before 4pm Monday 9 June 2025.

At the meeting, the Panel will review the independent assessment report, public submissions, and all relevant planning legislation before making a final decision.

All DA submitters have been notified directly by the NSW Planning Panel. Full meeting details, including how to register to speak or listen, along with the assessment report and associated attachments are available on the Planning Portal website.

🕓 Registrations to speak or listen close at 4pm on Monday, 9 June 2025.

We’ve attached a copy of the Planning Panels’ public meeting notice below or download here.

19 May 2025

Council has formally adopted the site-specific Plan of Management (PoM) for Richmond Park and Stockwell Gardens, following a resolution at the May Ordinary Council meeting.

A PoM is a legal document that outlines how public land will be used, managed, and maintained. It sets out land values, intended future uses, and development objectives.

The adoption means the site earmarked for the MEC, including the old bowling greens, clubrooms, and current playground area is now correctly categorised as General Community Use.

The other 70% of Richmond Park including war memorials, remains protected green space under the adopted plan.

As part of the MEC project, the playground and picnic area will be relocated elsewhere in the park.

You can read the full PoM on our website www.svc.nsw.gov.au/PoM

(Diagram above shows the two categories in Richmond Park)

7 May 2025

The Southern Regional Planning Panel (SRPP) is expected to hold a public meeting in Tumut in June 2025 to consider the Development Application (DA) for the project. The meeting date, times, and venue are still to be confirmed.

At the meeting, the Panel will review the independent assessment report, public submissions, and all relevant planning legislation before making a final decision.

The public submission period for the DA closed on 8 April 2025. Since then, the project has been undergoing independent assessment in preparation for referral to the SRPP.

While the meeting is slightly later than originally thought, this is a key milestone in progressing the project toward determination.

The SRPP is responsible for notifying submission writers and promoting the public meeting, but we will keep our readers updated as we learn more.

Information about the meeting will be shared through this newsletter and promoted on our socials as the SRPP confirms details.

Catch up on the latest news here.

Photo: A Joint Regional Planning Panel public meeting in Berry on the South Coast to discuss resort plans.

2 April 2025

Stay up to date with the latest developments by signing up to the MEC Newsletter - the latest edition is out today.

Included in this edition:

• Reminder DA Open for Public Submissions until 8 April 2025
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - covering traffic, noise and green space
• Planning for a Top-Notch Sport Hub
• MEC to Include Adult Change Facility
• Sustainability in Action - Building for the Future
• Updated Renders

27 March 2025

Have your say! The Development Application for the Tumut Multipurpose and Evacuation Centre at Richmond Park is open for public comment until 8 April 2025.

Community input is vital in shaping this important project, which will serve both as a multipurpose facility and a crucial evacuation hub in times of emergency.

Updates based on community input so far include better accessibility, reduced visual impact, enhanced vehicle access, expanded landscaping, increased emergency supply storage, and the incorporation of smart energy-saving technologies to help minimise operating costs.

To address community concerns, the DA includes a comprehensive Traffic and Parking Assessment Report. This report confirms that the proposed development will have minimal impact on local traffic flow and that the 50 on-site parking spaces will adequately accommodate demand during sporting and community events, preventing overflow parking issues.

A Noise Impact Assessment was also undertaken to ensure the project maintains a peaceful environment for nearby residents. The assessment confirms that, with the recommended design and construction measures in place, noise levels will remain within the acceptable limits set by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

The project will undergo an independent assessment before being referred to the NSW Southern Regional Planning Panel (SRPP) for a final determination. The panel will consider the independent assessment report, public submissions, and relevant planning legislation before making its decision.

The DA documentation is available for public viewing via the NSW Planning Portal. Submissions close at 5pm on Tuesday 8 April 2025

How to make a submission

Submission can be made on the New South Wales Planning Portal https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/daex/exhibition/construction-recreation-facility-indoor-multipurpose-evacuation-centre(External link) or by email to info@svc.nsw.gov.au(External link)

What to include in your submission

• Name
• Address
• Email address
• Phone number
• Development Application number - DA2025/0026
• Your reasons for support or objection to the planning merits of the application

12 March 2025

Now that the DA has been placed on public exhibition interested community members can view the documentation and make a submission relating to the application.

To give the public more time to review and submit feedback, the statutory 14-day exhibition period has been extended to 28 days and submissions will be open until 8 April 2025.

All public submissions will be provided to the New South Wales Southern Regional Planning Panel (SRPP), the independent body responsible for the final decision on the DA.

How to make a submission

Submission can be made on the New South Wales Planning Portal https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/daex/exhibition/construction-recreation-facility-indoor-multipurpose-evacuation-centre or by email to info@svc.nsw.gov.au

What to include in your submission

• Name
• Address
• Email address
• Phone number
• Development Application number - DA2025/0026
• Your reasons for support or objection to the planning merits of the application

Under Section 10.4 (5) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, any person lodging a submission is also required to declare any political donations which may have been made 2 years prior to the making of the submission.

Submissions close at 5pm on Tuesday 8 April 2025

7 March 2025

Council’s Multipurpose and Evacuation Centre project is one step closer to realisation, with its Development Application lodged this week.

Following a comprehensive design consultation process in which community members were invited to provide feedback on the project’s concept designs, the Council’s appointed Architects have now lodged the Development Application (DA) through the NSW Planning Portal.

An independent and experienced town planning contractor, Jeremy Swan from the Planning Hub Sydney, will now undertake the independent assessment of the project on behalf of Council.

Council’s Acting Director Community, Corporate and Development, Nick Wilton said it was not appropriate that Council staff assess the application, given that Council is both the applicant and also the consent authority.

“Mr Swan is a highly respected Town Planning professional with extensive experience in the merit assessment of these types of projects, and he will undertake an assessment in accordance with the requirements of the EPA Act and make a recommendation on the application,” Mr Wilton explained.

Mr Wilton said Council has also requested the preparation of a Probity Plan and the appointment of a probity advisor to oversee the process.

“It is not unusual for a project with this scale for a probity advisor to be appointed to oversee all processes relating to the project to ensure community confidence in the process,” he said.

Once the DA is reviewed, adjoining and adjacent property owners will receive a Neighbour Notification Letter at their registered mail address, in accordance with Council’s Community Participation Plan, and the DA will be placed on public exhibition for a period of 28 days.

Click here to read the full media release.

19 February 2025

A concept design report for the Multipurpose and Evacuation Centre (MEC) project will be presented at the February Council Meeting this Thursday, 20 February.

The report provides an update on the MEC design, summarises community feedback from recent information sessions, and outlines the next steps for the project.

During the meeting, Councillors will also receive a community petition requesting that ‘Snowy Valleys Council seek a further extension of the funding grant to explore a more suitable site.’

Additionally, during the public forum, Councillors will hear from community members presenting arguments both for and against the project.

We encourage everyone to read the report and tune in to the Meeting livestream to stay informed and follow the discussion.

www.svc.nsw.gov.au/20-Feb-2025

13 February 2025

Approximately 150 community members attended Council’s Multipurpose and Evacuation Centre (MEC) Project Concept Design Presentations on Tuesday, 11 February, demonstrating strong interest in the project.

Interim General Manager Steven Pinnuck said the community was engaged and broadly supportive of the designs, with attendees offering constructive feedback to further refine the plans.

“I’d like to thank those who attended and encourage everyone to review the plans on our website and provide feedback,” he said.

Click here to read the full medial release.