Snowy Monaro LGA crime statistics

About Snowy Monaro

The Snowy Monaro Regional Council is a large local government area located in the Southern Tablelands and Snowy Mountains regions of New South Wales. Encompassing approximately 15,164 square kilometers, the region is characterized by diverse alpine landscapes, extensive high-country plains, and the river valleys of the Snowy and Murrumbidgee rivers. As of the 2021 Census, the region supports a population of approximately 21,000 residents. The demographic is primarily concentrated in the major service hubs of Cooma, Jindabyne, and Bombala, while the remainder of the area is defined by rural land use, including grazing, agriculture, and conservation zones.

Local life in the Snowy Monaro is heavily influenced by its proximity to the Kosciuszko National Park, which serves as a central pillar for the regional economy and lifestyle. The area is a premier destination for winter tourism, particularly skiing and snowboarding, while summer months sustain hiking, cycling, and fishing industries. Public amenities are centralized in Cooma, which serves as the administrative and commercial heart of the region, providing essential healthcare, education, and retail services. The community maintains a strong identity rooted in both its pastoral history and its role as a gateway to Australia’s alpine regions.

The region’s heritage is shaped by the traditional custodianship of the Ngarigo, Walgalu, and Bidawal peoples, whose connection to the land predates European settlement. European exploration and subsequent pastoral expansion began in the 1820s and 1830s, establishing the Monaro as a significant wool-producing district. A pivotal moment in the region's history was the mid-20th-century development of the Snowy Mountains Scheme, one of Australia’s largest civil engineering projects. This initiative not only transformed the regional economy and landscape but also facilitated a post-war influx of diverse international labor, significantly shaping the social and cultural demographics of the modern-day Snowy Monaro.

Sources and interpretation

These are police-recorded incident or victim counts, not every unreported incident or a prediction of personal safety. Percentage changes are not tests of statistical significance; small counts need particular care.

• NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research
• ABS 2021 Census · LGA 17040
• NSW Spatial Services
• Methodology, updates and corrections