Council Meeting Roundup - November 2025

This month’s council meeting included announcement of the successful applications to receive funding from the Rye Park Wind Farm Community Enhancement Fund Grants, renewal of the Alcohol-Free zone in Yass, Council meeting schedule for 2026, Council’s Annual Report 2024/25 and Council’s Audited Financial Accounts.  

Members of the public spoke in Open Forum against the development application for a new electronic scoreboard at Joe O’Connor Park, and against the draft Renewable Energy Community-Benefit Policy (in lieu of further public consultation).  

Mayoral Minutes 

• Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Act - Council resolved not to support the Act - which removes local Councillor decision making powers to determine DA’s – and, if the changes go ahead, called for appropriate funding to establish the proposed Local Planning Panels.  

• Mark Livermore - Council passed on their condolences to the family of Mark Livermore, former Manager of Environmental Services, Yass Valley Council, who sadly passed away in October, and paid tribute to his huge contribution and service to our Yass Valley community.  

DA’s 

• New Electronic Scoreboard for Joe O'Connor Park, Yass was approved. 

Reports to Council

All reports are included in the November Council Meeting agenda and attachments.

• Engineering Standards for Parkwood DCP - Council endorsed the use of the higher ACT standards for infrastructure in the Parkwood Development. 

• Rye Park Wind Farm Community Enhancement Fund 2025/26 – Council endorsed the recommendations of the Committee and local community groups will benefit from $50,000 worth of grant funding. The full list of successful applicants is available in the November Council Meeting agenda papers.

• Road Maintenance – Having listened to the concerns of the Sutton and Gundaroo communities about regional road conditions, Council reaffirmed its commitment to prioritising road rehabilitation and maintenance schedules based on safety risks and budget. New AI camera technology will help Council prioritise road maintenance and will allow crews to respond quicker. Council confirmed it will do everything reasonable within the financial environment and legislative capacity to address safety-critical road issues throughout the Yass Valley. 

• Draft Renewable Energy Community-Benefit Policy - Council resolved to seek further community feedback and will reach out to impacted communities, notably the Binalong, Browning, Bookham and Wee Jasper Community Associations for further input.  

• Council Sporting Facilities - User Charges Review - Council decided not to pass this motion in his current form and Council staff will now conduct further work on the proposed fee charging structure for 2026/27. 

• Yass Water Treatment Plant - Telstra Assets and TV Retransmission Assets - Council resolved to allocate space and negotiate necessary agreements for new Telstra infrastructure at the new Yass Water Treatment Plant. 

• Council Meeting Schedule 2026 - Council endorsed the Council meeting schedule for the rest of the Council term. Full details will be available online. Public Forum will now be conducted on the Tuesday of the Council Meeting week commencing at 5.15pm during daylight savings, 4pm alternatively.  

• Bango Wind Farm Community Enhancement Fund Advisory Committee community members were appointed – and the grant application process will open early next year.  

• Yass Valley Council Annual Report 2024/25 was endorsed and is available here.  

• Council received reports on the Code of Conduct - Complaint Statistics Report, and the Action Plan for the Community Satisfaction Survey to address priority areas.  

Public Consultation 

A number of policies were endorsed to be placed on exhibition for Public Consultation. Your Voice Counts is our new online platform for community consultation and allows people to easily find and read the documentation, leave feedback and ask questions.  

Your feedback matters and helps shape Council’s decision on policies that effect you. Have a look at Your Voice Counts and see what these strategies mean for you and your local community:  

All Public Consultations are open until 31st January 2026. 

• Draft Parks and Play Strategy 2025  

• Draft Sutton Recreation Ground Strategic Plan 2025 

• Alcohol Free Zone, Yass Main Street – renewal of the existing policy for another four years 

• Hardship and Financial Assistance Policy   

• Managing Unreasonable Conduct towards YVC and its Employees Policy 

Finances 

• Audited 2024/25 Annual Financial Statements were endorsed and are available online.

• Council staff continue to provide a comprehensive suite of financial reports - the Monthly Financial Report, Investment and Borrowing Report, 2025-26 First Quarterly Budget Review Statement and the ‘Financial Sustainability Roadmap - Quarterly Update’ are all available in the November Council Meeting agenda and attachments. 

Catch up with the Minutes of the: 

• Rye Park Wind Farm Community Enhancement Fund Committee - 10 Nov 25 

• Local Transport Forum - 4 Nov 2025. Recommendations from the Local Traffic Forum include the lack of support for the introduction of high pedestrian activity area and traffic calming devices in the Mont St area in Yass.