Council Meeting Roundup - September 2025

Published on 30 September 2025

This month’s council meeting highlights Included the Crago Mill Stage 2 review, renewable energy projects and the bush fire risk, Friendship City Partnership with Wuzhou, China and the 2024/25 Annual Accounts. 

Members of the general public spoke in Open Forum on the Council’s submission on renewal energy projects in Yass Valley, multi-dwelling DA’s; the Murrumbateman Recreation Grounds Strategic Plan, and the Tree Management Strategy.

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

Mayoral Minutes

• State Significant Renewable Energy Projects Within Yass Valley Submission - Council noted an independent submission on the protection of our region’s communities on high bush fire threat days considering the cumulative impact of proposed State Significant Renewable Energy Projects in scope for Yass Valley. Council gave particular thanks to retired NSW RFS Group Captain Michael Gray for his significant contribution.
• Friendship City Partnership with Wuzhou, China - Council agreed to continue the friendship agreement, particularly to promote trade relationships with our local wine and mushroom growing industries.
• Proposed Bendenine Wind Farm - In response to the news that Wind Prospect were planning to lodge its scoping report to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure in early 2026, Council agreed to send further letters of objection about the project to proponents and appropriate approval departments, highlighting the lodgment of the report as highly inappropriate in a bush fire prone community and disregards community views.
• Joint Advocacy - Community Benefit Sharing Payment - Transgrid Power Lines. Council agreed to write to the Australian Energy Regulator requesting a meeting with the five regional Councils impacted by Humelink, to consider a community benefit sharing payment scheme. 

DA’s

• 736 Childowla Road, Bookham - Geotechnical Investigations associated with Squadron Energy’s Bookham Wind Farm were refused. 
• 7 Hanley Place, Yass - Council refused the application for six houses based on the minimum lot size being below the required 400m2.
• 600 Childowla Road, Bookham - dwelling on RU1 land conditionally approved to support primary production.
• 6 Discovery Drive, Yass - Dual Occupancy housing conditionally approved, subject to heritage colour palette, and the removal and suitable replacement of the conifer trees. 
• 141 Meehan Street, Yass - Multi Dwelling Development approved for four houses and a five lot Strata title subdivision. 

Main News 

• Stage 2 Review of the Crago Mill Precinct - Following an independent review, Council decided to discontinue the full completion of Stage 2 of the Crago Mill Precinct Project. Council resolved not proceed with redevelopment of the historic Crago Mill building or build new commercial premises, due to the impact on the Council’s current financial position. Demolition of the existing administration will take place, as will landscaping, structural surveys on the historic Crago Mill building and a feasibility study into selling the land designated for commercial development. For the full story, see our news webpage. 
• Australian Productivity Commission’s Investing in Cheaper, Cleaner Energy and the Net Zero Transformation Report’ - It was noted that Yass Valley Council’s submission has been made, reiterating our position on our Renewal Energy Development Policy. 
• Wee Jasper Memorial Hall and Tennis Courts -  The Crown Land Management role is being passed to the Wee Jasper Community Association.
• Yass Memorial Pool Power Upgrade - The tender for the power upgrade project was awarded to Pateman Power Solutions, with a big note of thanks to the Yass Swim Club for their work and success in finding funding for this project.
• New 40 km/h zone, South Yass - Council will seek support from the Local Transport Forum for a submission to be made to Transport for NSW about introducing a 40 km/h speed limit in the Mont St/Cliff St/Links Rd/Weemilah St area of Yass.

Public Consultation

A number of planning policies were approved for Public Consultation - please visit our Public Consultation section of the website and ‘Have your Say’:  

• Murrumbateman Recreation Ground - Draft Plan of Management and Strategic Plan
• Yass Valley Cemeteries - Draft Management Plan

Governance policies - A number of governance and procedural policies were approved for Public Consultation including:

• Interaction between Council Officials Policy,
• Public Interest Disclosures Policy, 
• Code of Meeting Practice, 
• Code of Conduct Policy; 
• The final ‘Council Internal Audit Charter’ was adopted. 

Finances

• The annual Financial Statements 2024/25 will be referred to the NSW Audit Office. Councilors commended Council Staff for the good work that had taken place to complete the reports and ensure financial transparency.  
• Monthly Financial Report and Investment & Borrowing Report were noted. 
• 2025-26 Financial Assistance Grant Advice of Estimated Entitlement was received and noted. 

Catch up with the Minutes of the:

• Yass Pool Redevelopment Project Committee - July 2025
• Local Transport Forum - August 2025

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