Council hosted a completion ceremony and formal opening celebration for the new Claypits precinct at the Jindabyne foreshore on Thursday 2 April 2026, following the completion and of the major project in mid-December 2025.
Work on the new carpark at Jindabyne's Claypits was completed ahead of schedule in mid-December 2025. Council reopened the important and high-traffic site to the public immediately— without any ceremony or fanfare—once work was finished, to ensure the community and visitors had access to the Claypits ahead of the Christmas and New Year holiday period.
This was the right call, as Council's priority was always to reopen the Claypits site as soon as possible. But a project of such significance to the community and delivered to such a high standard deserved a proper celebration and opening ceremony.
Council was privileged to welcome local MP for Eden-Monaro Minister Kristy McBain and representatives from the Regional Growth NSW Development Corporation (RGDC) Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct team to mark the occasion at the new site on Thursday afternoon.
Minister McBain, Mayor Chris Hanna, and Director Snowy Mountains and Wagga Wagga Special Activation Precincts with RGDC Michael Keys all praised the project, the strength of the collaboration between teams, departments and tiers of government, and shared their belief in the bright future that lies ahead for Jindabyne and the wider alpine region.
The Claypits Carpark Upgrade Project is a joint initiative of the Australian Government through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program and the NSW Government as part of the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct.
'The Claypits carpark is such an iconic place in Jindabyne and it has been a pleasure to watch the journey from what was quite a tough carpark to get in and out of to what we have got now.
'You get the best out of governments when you have the three levels working together and we are being led by what the community is telling us is important to them and this is a great example of that.'
Federal Member for Eden-Monaro, Kristy McBain
'The Snowy Mountains Highway is an important arterial route for our region, and Adaminaby is an historic town with a wonderful atmosphere.
'These new rest areas will greatly contribute to the visitor economy of Adaminaby, as well as improve safety along what is a busy route, especially during our winter season.'
Member for Monaro, Steve Whan
'It's only thanks to the joint Australian and NSW Government Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund that this major infrastructure project was possible.
'I want to commend the Council projects and infrastructure teams for a job very well done, and extend my sincere gratitude to the team at Snowy Hydro for working so closely with us to ensure this project was a success.
'A big thank you the people of Adaminaby for collaborating with us through the early stages of the project and for being so patient and accommodating as we worked to get the new highway parking areas built and opened to the public.'
Mayor Chris Hanna, Snowy Monaro Regional Council
