Council Meeting Roundup - July 2025

Published on 25 July 2025

This month’s council meeting included topics from renewable energy, loss of Yass 511’s 4WD fire-fighting vehicle, tree management strategies, and updates on Council’s advocacy with State and Federal politicians.

Members of the public spoke during the open forum both for and against the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) proposed for Murrumbateman, in support of retaining the firefighting truck, to remind Council of the 20-year fight against the Coppabella Wind Turbine Project, and to advocate for a tree management strategy.

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

Mayoral Minutes:

• Cost shifting onto Local Government – The LGNSW Cost Shifting Report for 2023/24 will be placed online for public viewing. Council will write to the NSW Government to appeal for a reduction in this burden.
• Fire truck - Advocacy will continue to State and Federal Ministers, calling for the retention of the Yass Fire & Rescue CT511 vehicle, as the foam 4WD truck is planned to be relocated to Cootamundra.
• BESS – Council agreed to submit an assessment report to the Southern Regional Planning Panel outlining community objections to the Distribution Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at 3 Turton Place, Murrumbateman.

Reports to Council:

• Renewable Energy Projects in Yass Valley – Council’s report detailing the energy projects in the Yass Valley can be found here(PDF, 1000KB) . 
• State of Yass Valley Report – our report on Council’s activities for 2022-24 is now available to view online.
• 2025/2026 Fees and Charges – admin amendments (particularly for pool and food businesses) were endorsed and will be on public exhibition for 28 days. 
• Remaking of Yass Valley Council Code of Meeting Practice & Council Code of Conduct (with supporting procedures) – Council endorses the adoption of these model procedures and the documents have been placed on public consultation for 28 days.

• Financial Reports – will be submitted as EOFY reports.

Motions with Notice

• Trees – Council agreed to develop a Tree Management Strategy, with key priorities including the retention of non-invasive trees, the replacement of dangerous or declining trees with species more suitable for the environment, and a focus on native planting.

Catch up with the Minutes of the:

• Canberra Region Joint Organisation (March & June 2025)
• National General Assembly Conference 2025
• Local Emergency Management Committee (Feb 2025)
• Rescue Committee (Feb 2025)