Snowy Advisory Committee Applications for Membership

Applications for Membership of the Snowy Advisory Committee are now closed.

The Snowy Advisory Committee (SAC) provides vital community and expert input and advises the Water Administration Ministerial Corporation on the timing and pattern for the release of water for environmental purposes to the Snowy River and Snowy montane rivers (including the upper Murrumbidgee River) to ensure their ongoing health to meet the Snowy water licence requirements.

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment sought nominations from people to contribute their local knowledge, skills and relevant experience to advise the use of water for the environment for the Snowy and montane rivers. Snowy Advisory Committee members will actively participate in providing information, analysis and recommendations from their vantage point in the local community or representing a stakeholder group, and assisting environmental water managers with developing environmental flow regimes and annual watering plans.

Specific skills and knowledge sought include:

  • Indigenous knowledge of the Snowy River and Montane Streams (including the upper Murrumbidgee)
  • water management
  • local knowledge of the Snowy River and Montane Streams (including the upper Murrumbidgee)
  • related community interests
  • knowledge of New South Wales and Snowy Scheme water management framework
  • environmental knowledge of the Snowy River and Montane Streams (including the upper Murrumbidgee).

Appointment of the Snowy Advisory Committee members will be for up to 3 years. Members will be remunerated and reimbursed eligible expenses in accordance with Public Service Commission guidelines.

Applications closed Sunday, 27 March 2022.

The department is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity, Work Health and Safety, Cultural Diversity and Ethical Work Practices and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds.

Snowy Advisory Committee overview

The Snowy Advisory Committee (SAC) is established by the NSW Government under the Snowy Hydro Corporatisation Amendment (Snowy Advisory Committee) Act 2014 (NSW). The committee's role is to provide vital community and expert input to the design on the timing and pattern of the release of environmental flows to the Snowy River and Snowy montane rivers to ensure their ongoing health.

The Snowy Advisory Committee comprises at least 6 members representing Aboriginal, local community and environmental interests, alongside New South Wales and Victorian government specialists.

Primary purpose of the role

A Snowy Advisory Committee member's purpose is to apply their expertise, knowledge and skills to the committee's deliberations on the timing and pattern for the release of water for environmental reasons under the Snowy Water Licence.

Members will be required to actively participate in committee discussions by providing information, analysis and recommendations from their vantage point as an Aboriginal, local community and/or environmental interest group representative.

Key responsibilities

  • Gather relevant information to inform inputs on behalf of a group or interest.
  • Attend meetings to contribute to the consideration, discussion and deliberation of meeting topics.
  • Contribute to formulating objectives, priorities, risks and strategies for environmental watering.
  • Contribute to the smooth operation of the committee by adhering to agreed procedures.
  • Review documentation between meetings, when necessary.
  • Communicate with the Chair and/or relevant department staff between meetings, when necessary.
  • Ability and willingness to attend meetings 2-4 times per year, which may include regional travel (community member costs will be met). This should not preclude community members with responsibility as caregivers.

Key challenges

  • Considering and respecting the views of others to maintain an inclusive and collaborative approach.
  • Collating and considering information on a highly technical and complex topic.
  • Building an understanding of the frameworks in place to manage environmental water.
  • Developing and maintaining an awareness of social, institutional, political and ecological issues relevant to the Snowy River and Snowy montane river flows.

Capabilities for the role

A Snowy Advisory Committee Member should be able to demonstrate or aspire to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours to:

  • act in an honest, ethical and professional manner
  • work towards an objective as part of a team
  • employ appropriate interpersonal skills to ensure meetings and discussions are polite and constructive
  • exhibit goodwill and support an inclusive and collaborative approach
  • actively assist the SAC Chairperson and relevant department staff with the challenging job of achieving complex decision-making by consensus
  • analyse information and arguments, think critically and objectively about a complex problem
  • communicate effectively, including the ability to listen attentively to others, absorb alternative points of view and articulate a message
  • liaise broadly with their own constituency and represent them effectively
  • understand the role of water for local and regional communities and their environments.

General knowledge of New South Wales's water management framework and/or issues regarding the Snowy River will be viewed favourably.

Snowy Advisory Committee application form for members

Applications are now closed