December Council Meeting Round Up

This month’s council meeting included Parkwood Border arrangements, Yass Valley Cemeteries Management Plan and the Audit Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC) report.  

Members of the public spoke in Open Forum for the DA at Cusack Place; for the Cemetery Management Plan, particularly speaking comprehensively for continued biodiversity protection in the bush cemeteries and improving Gundaroo cemetery; and in regard to the petition calling for community input into the Council’s Tree Management Strategy.  

In a mark of respect for the victims of the Bondi Tragedy, Council stood for a minute silence whilst the known names of deceased were read out and remembered. 

At the start of proceedings, Council received a report from ARIC noting both the improvements Council has made over the past 12 months -strengthening financial sustainability, assets management governance and transparency - and listed the priorities for 2026 - continuing to update compliance and governance frameworks, including risk, finance, ICT and WHS to support council business. Council noted the added value that ARIC provides in skills, expertise and lessons learnt from other councils.  

Mayoral Minute - Bondi Tragedy 

• The Mayor read out a statement of support and condolences to the families condemning the mass terrorist attack, extending Yass Valley’s support to Waverley Council. She reaffirmed that Yass Valley is a place that welcome people of all races and religion. Yass Valley community continued to pay their respects by lowering their flags to half-mast and held a Candlelight Vigil at the Remembrance Shrine at Yass Soldier’s Memorial Hall on Sunday 21 December.  A letter has been sent to Waverley Council expressing condolences and support for their community following the atrocity at Bondi Beach.  

DA’s/Planning Proposals 

• 16-18 Cusack Place, Yass - change of lot sizes: The post exhibition report was presented, and the Planning Proposal was adopted. Land will now be rezoned from R5 Large Lot Residential to part R1 General Residential (700m2) and part C2 Environmental Conservation. 

Reports to Council: 

• Parkwood Border Arrangements: Council resolved its position to retain the Parkwood Development within the Yass Valley LGA. This decision is based on the long-term financial modelling undertaken by AEC Group which demonstrates that retaining Parkwood within the Yass Valley Council Local Government Area delivers a net financial benefit to Council (when supported by appropriate funding mechanisms). This includes a plan to maintain a level of services to Parkwood commensurate with community expectations, to be funded through a Parkwood-specific Special Rate Variation (pending IPART or Ministerial approval), without reliance on general rate revenue and without broader financial impact on existing Yass Valley ratepayers.

• Tabling of Petition: Council accepted a petition calling for Yass Valley Council to engage in meaningful community engagement on their Tree Management Policy. To note, Council is in the process of engaging a contractor to develop the Tree Management Strategy and this will include engagement with the community. 

Policies, Strategies and Plans 

• Yass Valley Cemeteries and Bush Cemetries Management Plan and Masterplan were adopted, with inclusion of key information provided by the submissions - including protection of the Box Gum woody grasslands and better access to Gundaroo cemetery. Council also agreed the updated Memento and Memorial Policy.  

• Code of Meeting Practice was adopted.  

Finances 

• Monthly Financial Report was agreed and going forward will include details of money owed by debtors.  

Confidential/Tenders  

• Council resolved to sell residential land at 13 Dutton St, Yass, and will put on the market in the New Year.   

• Electric Vehicle Charging Stations – Crago Mill Precinct: Council resolved to accept the contract by NRMA.  

• Electricity Supply: Council agreed to join a group energy contract with the Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC) program for Energy & Environment Risk Solutions (PEERS) from 2027, resulting in planned savings of approx. 25% of its annual electricity supply costs. Council will also support purchasing 20% of its electricity supply from renewable sources under the PEERS3 contract.  

All reports and full set of minutes are included in the December Council Meeting agenda, minutes and attachments. 

Unfortunately, due to a technical issue the external online speakers (ARIC and Parkwood consultant) were not recorded on the live broadcast.