Cooma ScrapMart remains closed as investigation continues
Published on 16 February 2024
Cooma ScrapMart remains closed until further notice, as Council and local reptilian wranglers wrestle with recovering a slither of snakes seen skulking suspiciously in the ScrapMart surrounds.
When we shared our initial intel earlier in February, we thought we were dealing with a single cold-blooded trespasser. Our search for the singular source of these sightings saw us come up empty-handed, and our attempts at securing the store against the serpentine intruder were unsuccessful.
To tip the scales in our favour, we consulted a professional with experience in how to respond when local wildlife gets a little too local for our liking.
The advice? Cover the floor with flour.
FLOOR FLOUR: Tracking the trail of the trespasser turned up a twist in the tale.
What might have seemed at first to be a half-baked plan, in fact revealed snake tracks and a startling secret: the ScrapMart snake is a she, and she appears to have sought shelter at our shop to start herself a family.
This revelation saw the scale of our search shift from seeking a single slithering squatter, to focus now on locating a single mother with her wriggly little family in tow.
Despite bringing in the professionals, we have so far been unable to locate the den of our ScrapMart snakes. The search continues on-site, with Council proud to today commit to providing this local family with a free relocation service, and a new, more suitable home in a beautiful natural location in the Snowy Monaro.
Cooma ScrapMart will remain closed until mama snake and her babies are successfully located and moved out to their new home. This for the protection of both the family in residence and the bargain-hunting public.
We will keep the community updated as this story develops.
Contact Council on 1300 345 345 or email council@smrc.nsw.gov.au for more information, or with any questions or concerns.
Information for local residents and other Cooma Landfill patrons:
While Cooma ScrapMart remains closed, Cooma Landfill is otherwise open as normal.
Residents who can’t wait for reopening to bag a bargain can visit Jindabyne ScrapMart on Sundays from 10am to 3pm, or Bombala ScrapMart from 1.30pm to 3.30pm on Saturdays and 11am to 3.30pm on Sundays.
Residents looking to donate items are asked to delay their trip until we have reopened Cooma ScrapMart. Alternatively, both Jindabyne Landfill and Bombala Landfill continue to accept donations of good quality pre-loved goods.
About snakes:
Snakes are an iconic and important part of the Australian and Snowy Monaro environment, with these native species playing a vital role in our local ecosystem.
Visit the NSW Department of Planning and Environment website to learn more about living with snakes, including where to get help if one of these native reptiles takes up residence at your place.
Snakes are not naturally aggressive and will flee from humans if they can, but they can be dangerous if hurt or cornered. Catching and relocation should always be left to licenced and certified professionals.
Head to https://qrco.de/NSWsnakeinfo for more information.