The plan's immediate priorities were to assess the damage and community needs following the Dunns Road bushfire that destroyed homes, farms, livestock and timber plantations across the region this month.

Priority was also given to restoring essential services including water, power, communications, waste, transport and disposing of waste material from the fires.

The meeting opened with a minute's silence as tribute to those affected by bushfires.

Mayor James Hayes told councillors that "the time for unity is now".

"United we can certainly succeed; divided we're in trouble," he said.

"If we can show some sort of solidarity, put aside our differences, I think we can move forward with gusto and take opportunity of what's there."

Cr Cor Smit said he highly commended the "extensive" bushfire recovery program and urged councillors and the community to get behind it "as much as possible, for the betterment of our shire".

Cr Julia Ham asked about the status of Brindabella Road in the advocacy section of the recovery plan.

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Council chief executive Matthew Hyde said the plan would consider the employment benefit and returns to the economy of a number of projects.

"There will be opportunities available at the moment where there normally wouldn't be around some of these projects," he said.

"It is quite healthy to have a variety of projects available, depending on what the state and federal governments may or may not want to fund."

Deputy mayor John Larter said upgrades to Tumut Airport should be considered given its use as a water bomber base during the bushfire and the pending Snowy 2.0 hydroelectric project.

Cr Cate Cross said council staff should be acknowledged for giving up their Christmas holidays to assist the community.

Councillors then endorsed a proposal to waive fees and charges for bushfire affected residents, including not charging for mains water that was used to defend properties.

Councillors also unanimously carried a motion that Snowy Valleys "continue to take action against climate change".

Crs Andrianna Benjamin and Geoff Pritchard were apologies for the meeting.