Council Meeting Roundup - August 2025

Published on 03 September 2025

This month’s council meeting highlights included the Drought Summit, Cargo Mill building names, and several significant Murrumbateman planning issues. Members of the public spoke both for and against a proposed large-scale dwelling on Malbec Drive, the opening times for the Dance School, lot size reductions in ‘The Fields’ Stage 4 development, and the Pump Track project.

Other key agenda items included the introduction of a Renewable Energy Community Benefit Sharing Policy, and the Financial Sustainability Roadmap, which was given the go-ahead.

Here’s a quick run-down of what you need to know:

Mayoral Minutes:

• Drought Summit Report – Council noted the report which outlined the recommendations and actions from the summit - including setting up a NSW Drought Task Force, reinstatement of drought as a natural disaster, provision of direct financial relief, and urgent reform of support frameworks.
• Noosa for Neuro Charity Event - Council agreed to waiver the fees for two nights’ accommodation at the Yass Caravan Park for Trent Robertson, in support of the Noosa for Neuro Charity Event. Trent is running the equivalent of 10 marathons for charity - riding from Tarcutta to Bookham on Monday 8^th September and running from Bookham to Yass on Tuesday 9^th September.
• Community Input into Crago Mill Precinct Building Names – Council endorsed a process to seek proposals for suitable names for the new Admin and Library buildings and, subsequently, engage with community to understand sentiment about name preferences. 

Planning:

• 46 Malbec Drive, Murrumbateman (dwelling) - DA was deferred to enable the applicant to submit amended plans to achieve consistency with the established and desired character of the locality.  
• Dance School, 26 Rose Street, Murrumbateman – Council approved amended hours of Monday to Friday 9am - 9pm, Saturday 9am – 4pm, and Sunday/Public Holidays no operation, to strike a balance between business operation needs and residential amenity considerations.
• 'The Fields' Stage 4, Isabel Drive, Murrumbateman – Council agreed to draft planning proposals to amend the Yass Valley Local Environmental Plan 2013 to reduce the minimum lot size applicable to eight lots within Stage 4 of the “The Fields” development, pending water/effluent reports. 

Council Business

• Murrumbateman Pump Track Project – the project plan was agreed which will start the process of determining a location (and will allow the community to move forward in seeking funding for the project).
• Draft Renewable Energy Community-Benefit Policy – Council agreed to put the Policy up for Public Consultation for 28 days to allow the public to have their say. The draft policy provides a clear framework to guide Council in negotiating a community-benefit sharing arrangement with renewable energy applicants.
• Conferences – The Mayor and Cr Charry will attend the Local Government NSW Annual Conference in November; Cr Cameron will attend the LGNSW Water Management Conference in September.
• Revotes and Carry Forward from FY2024-25 to FY2025-26 – Council agreed to carry forward previous projects not started to be carried forward into this year.
• Springfield RFS Shed – Council agreed to reclassify 1095 Spring Range Road as ‘operational’ land to accommodate the NSW Rural Fire Service Shed. Thanks were given to the Birtles family for their generous donation of land for this purpose.
• Tree Management Strategy – Council reported that part of the current organisational restructure, Council is considering the need for a dedicated arborist position. In the meantime, Council has allocated funding in the 2025–2026 budget to develop a Tree Management Strategy

Finances:

• Financial Sustainability Roadmap – Council adopted the revised document following community consultation.
• Crago Mill Precinct Borrowings – Following the annual review of the Westpac Loan Facility, Council agreed to extend the interest only period of the loan for a further 12 months (to cover the continuing period of construction). 

Tenders/Contracts:  

• Tender was awarded for the footpath works from Walker Park via Julian Place, Shaw and Petit Streets to Berinba Public School.
• Tender was awarded for the Digitisation of Building Files
• Council received an update on the ongoing work regarding the compulsory land acquisition (without agreement) for replacement low level road crossing on Greenwood Road over Murrumbateman Creek.
• An EOI will be issued for work to install Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at the Crago Mill Precinct.

Catch up with the Minutes of the:

• Murrumbateman Recreation Ground Focus Group (amended)
• Yass Pool Redevelopment Project Committee

The full set of minutes are available on the Council Meeting Agenda and Minutes Page.