Cooma

Cooma is a town in the south of New South Wales, Australia. It is located 114 kilometres (71 mi) south of the national capital, Canberra, via the Monaro Highway. It is also on the Snowy Mountains Highway, connecting Bega with the Riverina.

Cooma
New South Wales
Cooma Court House
Cooma
Coordinates36°14′06″S 149°07′33″E
Population6,742 (2016 census)[1]
Established1849
Postcode(s)2630
Elevation800 m (2,625 ft)
Location
  • 397 km (247 mi) SW of Sydney
  • 116 km (72 mi) S of Canberra
  • 112 km (70 mi) NW of Bega
LGA(s)Snowy Monaro Regional Council
CountyBeresford
State electorate(s)Monaro
Federal Division(s)Eden-Monaro
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall
19.4 °C
67 °F		 4.1 °C
39 °F		 541.6 mm
21.3 in
Localities around Cooma:
Binjura Bunyan Middle Flat
Dairymans Plains Cooma Middle Flat
Pine Valley The Brothers Rock Flat

At the 2016 census, Cooma had a population of 6,742.[1] Cooma is the main town of the Monaro region. It is 800 metres (2,620 ft) above sea level. The name could have derived from an Aboriginal word Coombah, meaning 'big lake' or 'open country'.[2]

Cooma was explored by Captain J. M. Currie in 1823. It was first surveyed in 1840, and was gazetted in 1849.[3] Cooma was proclaimed a municipality in 1879. Cooma is 5 kilometres (3 mi) south of the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, a main tributary of the Murray–Darling basin. Cooma sources its water from the river.

History

The railway from Sydney was extended from Royalla to Cooma in 1889 under the supervision of John Whitton.[4] The line was closed to rail passenger traffic in 1989.[5][6] The estimated population of Cooma was 47 in 1851 and it grew to 2330 (1911), 1969 (1933), 2249 (1947), 9103 (1966), 7353 (1976) and 7978 (1981).[7][8][9][10][11]

In 1949, the town became the headquarters of the Snowy Mountains Scheme and grew rapidly. Those working on the Snowy Scheme depended on the railway and during construction of the scheme, the railways were one of the largest employers in the region.[4] In 1959 the tenth anniversary of the scheme was celebrated with the erection of an avenue of flags representing the 27 nationalities of people working on the scheme.

Cooma has developed a growing tourism industry as it became the main rest stop for many travellers heading to the NSW snow fields during the winter months. As a result, the town nicknamed itself the 'Gateway to the Snowy Mountains'.

The Aviation Pioneers' Memorial at Cooma contains artifacts recovered from the Avro 618 Ten aircraft Southern Cloud, which crashed on 21 March 1931 in the Toolong range of the Australian Alps. The wreck was not found until 26 October 1958.[12]

Heritage listings

Cooma has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

Population

According to the 2016 census of Population, there were 6,742 people in Cooma.

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people made up 3.2% of the population.
  • 76.5% of people were born in Australia. The next most common country of birth was England at 2.6%.
  • 82.5% of people spoke only English at home.
  • The most common responses for religion were Catholic 26.2%, No Religion 26.1% and Anglican 18.7%.[1]

Education

Government schools include Monaro High School, a high school that serves the town and seven of the neighboring rural towns and villages including Peak View, Berridale, Jindabyne, Nimmitabel, Bredbo and Dalgety.[16] The other two government schools support primary education and are Cooma Public School[17] and Cooma North Public School,[18] both providing education for students in kindergarten to year 6.

The Roman Catholic school is called St Patrick's Parish School and provides education from kindergarten to year 10.[19] The Snowy Mountains Christian School, an independent Christian school provides education from kindergarten to year 10.[20]

Tertiary education is provided by TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute Cooma campus.[21] Another Tertiary Education centre is the newly opened Cooma Universities Centre.

Climate

Cooma has an oceanic climate (Cfb); however, it is warmer than would be expected for its altitude and latitude due to being on the leeward (eastern) side of the ranges; this is evident when compared to Batlow on the windward (western) side of the ranges, which averages 3 °C cooler in winter maxima. Summers are warm with cool nights, and winters are chilly with freezing nighttime lows. The area is relatively dry (by south-east coastal Australia standards), as it falls in a rain shadow. Despite its dryness, it only has 90.1 clear days annually, lower than the adjacent coastal areas of Wollongong and Sydney (106 and 107 clear days, respectively).[22][23]

Strong cold fronts often push through the region in winter and snow is not uncommon in Cooma from June to August, however is generally light and rarely settles for more than 24 hours (due to the foehn effect brought about by its eastern location). Severe thunderstorms are semi-frequent in summer and due to the towns elevation can carry large quantities of hail.[24]

Mean daily minimum temperatures range from −2.7 °C (27.1 °F) (July) to 10.8 °C (51.4 °F) (January), with an annual mean daily minimum of 4.1 °C (39.4 °F). Mean daily maximum temperatures range from 11.4 °C (52.5 °F) (July) to 27.3 °C (81.1 °F) (January), with an annual mean daily maximum of 19.4 °C (66.9 °F).[24]

Climate data for Cooma Visitors Centre (1973–2020); 778 m AMSL; 36° 13′ 54.48″ S
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 40.0
(104.0)		 38.9
(102.0)		 35.2
(95.4)		 30.4
(86.7)		 24.2
(75.6)		 19.6
(67.3)		 20.9
(69.6)		 24.5
(76.1)		 29.4
(84.9)		 33.1
(91.6)		 36.5
(97.7)		 37.8
(100.0)		 40.0
(104.0)
Mean maximum °C (°F) 35.2
(95.4)		 33.5
(92.3)		 30.4
(86.7)		 25.7
(78.3)		 21.4
(70.5)		 16.6
(61.9)		 16.1
(61.0)		 18.9
(66.0)		 23.6
(74.5)		 27.3
(81.1)		 30.5
(86.9)		 32.5
(90.5)		 35.8
(96.4)
Average high °C (°F) 27.5
(81.5)		 26.3
(79.3)		 23.7
(74.7)		 19.5
(67.1)		 15.6
(60.1)		 11.9
(53.4)		 11.5
(52.7)		 13.3
(55.9)		 16.4
(61.5)		 19.6
(67.3)		 22.5
(72.5)		 25.2
(77.4)		 19.4
(67.0)
Average low °C (°F) 10.9
(51.6)		 10.6
(51.1)		 8.2
(46.8)		 4.1
(39.4)		 0.7
(33.3)		 −1.3
(29.7)		 −2.7
(27.1)		 −1.9
(28.6)		 1.2
(34.2)		 3.8
(38.8)		 7.1
(44.8)		 9.2
(48.6)		 4.2
(39.5)
Mean minimum °C (°F) 3.7
(38.7)		 3.9
(39.0)		 1.0
(33.8)		 −2.9
(26.8)		 −5.9
(21.4)		 −7.5
(18.5)		 −8.6
(16.5)		 −7.8
(18.0)		 −5.5
(22.1)		 −3.0
(26.6)		 −0.1
(31.8)		 1.7
(35.1)		 −9.2
(15.4)
Record low °C (°F) −0.2
(31.6)		 −1.0
(30.2)		 −1.9
(28.6)		 −6.5
(20.3)		 −8.6
(16.5)		 −11.5
(11.3)		 −11.4
(11.5)		 −10.5
(13.1)		 −8.6
(16.5)		 −6.8
(19.8)		 −3.9
(25.0)		 −3.0
(26.6)		 −11.5
(11.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 56.9
(2.24)		 60.5
(2.38)		 57.8
(2.28)		 38.7
(1.52)		 29.3
(1.15)		 39.0
(1.54)		 27.8
(1.09)		 27.7
(1.09)		 33.7
(1.33)		 44.5
(1.75)		 62.6
(2.46)		 55.1
(2.17)		 536.9
(21.14)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 8.0 7.8 8.4 8.3 7.8 9.7 8.3 8.6 9.6 9.5 10.8 8.9 105.7
Average afternoon relative humidity (%) 40 44 45 49 54 59 54 48 45 44 43 41 47
Source: ,[24][25] and [26]

Cooma Airport (1991–2020)
Climate data for Cooma Airport AWS (1991–2020); 930 m AMSL; 36° 17′ 38.04″ S
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 39.1
(102.4)		 38.0
(100.4)		 36.0
(96.8)		 30.0
(86.0)		 23.8
(74.8)		 21.9
(71.4)		 19.7
(67.5)		 25.4
(77.7)		 27.7
(81.9)		 29.3
(84.7)		 35.9
(96.6)		 37.7
(99.9)		 39.1
(102.4)
Average high °C (°F) 26.8
(80.2)		 25.0
(77.0)		 22.4
(72.3)		 18.2
(64.8)		 14.2
(57.6)		 10.7
(51.3)		 10.3
(50.5)		 11.9
(53.4)		 15.1
(59.2)		 18.4
(65.1)		 21.4
(70.5)		 24.2
(75.6)		 18.2
(64.8)
Average low °C (°F) 10.9
(51.6)		 10.3
(50.5)		 7.7
(45.9)		 3.9
(39.0)		 0.6
(33.1)		 −1.1
(30.0)		 −2.0
(28.4)		 −1.5
(29.3)		 1.1
(34.0)		 3.6
(38.5)		 6.6
(43.9)		 8.7
(47.7)		 4.1
(39.3)
Record low °C (°F) −2.2
(28.0)		 −1.2
(29.8)		 −2.7
(27.1)		 −8.4
(16.9)		 −9.7
(14.5)		 −11.0
(12.2)		 −10.8
(12.6)		 −11.0
(12.2)		 −9.4
(15.1)		 −9.2
(15.4)		 −5.6
(21.9)		 −3.5
(25.7)		 −11.0
(12.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 52.8
(2.08)		 49.1
(1.93)		 47.5
(1.87)		 39.4
(1.55)		 26.9
(1.06)		 39.9
(1.57)		 30.1
(1.19)		 31.3
(1.23)		 36.0
(1.42)		 44.9
(1.77)		 66.3
(2.61)		 52.9
(2.08)		 529.5
(20.85)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 8.7 9.4 10.2 10.3 10.8 12.3 11.8 10.4 10.6 11.1 11.5 9.6 126.7
Source: Australian Bureau of Meteorology; Cooma Airport AWS

Media

Newspapers

One newspaper operates in Cooma, The Monaro Post, which began in 2006, and is independently owned by Gail Eastaway, Tracy Frazer and Louise Platts.

Radio stations

Note: transmitters for XLFM and Snow FM, as well as some ABC services, are in place throughout the Snowy Mountains.

Television

Cooma receives five free-to-air television networks including all the digital free-to-air channels relayed from Canberra, broadcast from the Telstra site Radio Hill translator in Cooma Common, off Polo Flat Road.

Stations available include:[27]

Another transmitter for the Cooma and surrounding Monaro region is located at Mount Roberts approximately 30 km NNE of the town, broadcasting The Three Commercial Networks and the ABC services, but not SBS Television Services.

Transport

Cooma is serviced by Cooma - Snowy Mountains Airport which is 15 kilometres from the CBD. Cooma has a bus service connecting various areas of town three times a day run by Cooma Coaches. Snowliner Coaches also operate services. Cooma has a taxi service run by Cooma Radio Taxis.

NSW TrainLink operate road coach services from Canberra to Bombala and Eden.[28] Cooma was served by the Cooma Mail until May 1986 and the Canberra Monaro Express until September 1988.[29]

The Cooma Monaro Railway is a heritage railway using CPH railmotors built in the 1920s. Until operations were suspended in January 2014, the railway operated a weekend and public holiday service on an 18 kilometre section of the Bombala railway line north to Bunyan and Chakola.[30]

People associated with Cooma

People born in Cooma include:

  • Cooma Post Office
  • Aviation Pioneers' Memorial at Cooma
  • Bronze Nanny Goat, Nanny Goat Hill Lookout at Cooma
  • Cooma Monaro Railway's CPH railmotor 6 at Chakola station

See also

References
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Cooma (SA2)". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  2. "Cooma". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  3. "Centenary of Federation Monument". Cooma-Monaro Shire Council. 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  4. "Cooma Railway Precinct". NSW Heritage Register. Office of Environment and Heritage: Government of New South Wales. 11 November 2009. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  5. "Bombala Line". www.nswrail.net. Retrieved 21 January 2007.
  6. "Cooma Railway Station". www.nswrail.net. Retrieved 21 January 2007.
  7. "CENSUS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA 1911 - Part XIV Summary" (PDF). Census of the Commonwealth of Australia 1911. Australian Bureau of Statistics. 1911. p. 211. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  8. "CENSUS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA 30th June 1933 - PART VIII. POPULATION AND OCCUPIED DWELLINGS IN LOCALITIES" (PDF). CENSUS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA 30th June 1933. Australian Bureau of Statistics. p. 23. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  9. "CENSUS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA 30th June, 1947 - PART VIII. - POPULATION AND OCCUPIED DWELLINGS IN LOCALITIES" (PDF). CENSUS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA 30th June, 1947. Australian Bureau of Statistics. p. 17. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  10. "CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING, 30 JUNE 1966 - Vol.5, Part 1 - New South Wales" (PDF). CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING, 30 JUNE 1966 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA. COMMONWEALTH BUREAU OF CENSUS AND STATISTICS. December 1970. p. 9. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  11. "CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING, 30 JUNE 1981 PERSONS AND DWELLINGS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS AND URBAN CENTRES - NEW SOUTH WALES" (PDF). CENSUS OF POPULATION AND HOUSING, 30 JUNE 1981. AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS. 1983. p. 37. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  12. "Into the Abyss & Back" (PDF). Flight Safety Magazine. FLIGHT SAFETY AUSTRALIA. July–August 2006. pp. 40–42. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  13. "Cooma Railway Station and yard group". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Office of Environment and Heritage. H01116. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  14. "Royal Hotel & Outbuildings". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Office of Environment and Heritage. H00616. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  15. "Rock Bolting Development Site". New South Wales State Heritage Register. Office of Environment and Heritage. H01984. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  16. "Monaro High School". NSW Government: Education and Communities. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  17. "Cooma Public School". NSW Government: Education and Communities. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  18. "Cooma North Public School". NSW Government: Education and Communities. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  19. "St Patrick's Parish School, Cooma". Catholic Education Office Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  20. "Snowy Mountains Christian School". Snowy Mountains Christian School. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  21. "Cooma Campus". TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  22. "Bureau of Meteorology – Summary statistics WOLLONGONG UNIVERSITY". Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  23. "Climate statistics for Australian locations". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  24. "Climate statistics for Cooma Visitors Centre". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  25. "Monthly highest temperature Cooma Visitors Centree". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  26. "Monthly lowest temperature Cooma Visitors Centre". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  27. "Television". Times2. The Canberra Times. 15 June 2010. p. 12.
  28. "Southern timetable". NSW Trainlink. 7 September 2019.
  29. Banger C. The Railway Refreshment Rooms of New South Wales 1855-1995. ARHS Bulletin, Vol 54, no.790. August 2003.
  30. "Cooma Monaro Railway". Cooma Monaro Railway. Retrieved 5 April 2012.

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