Draft Parkwood Development Control Plan

Published on 11 March 2026

Yass Valley Council Seeks Community Feedback on Draft Parkwood Development Control Plan

Yass Valley Council is inviting community feedback on the Draft Parkwood Development Control Plan (DCP), a strategic framework guiding the delivery of a sustainable residential community of around 5,600 homes near the ACT border.

The Parkwood DCP provides the planning blueprint for development across the approximately 1,000-hectare Parkwood LEP area at Wallaroo, NSW.

By aligning with ACT engineering standards and the Ginninderry Master Plan, the DCP supports seamless cross-border infrastructure and services while protecting the environmental values of the Ginninderra Creek and Murrumbidgee River corridors.

Yass Valley Mayor Jasmin Jones said the project reflects the region’s strong economic and social links with the ACT. “Delivering housing for the Capital Region is business as usual for our Council. Around 60 per cent of our workforce leaves the Local Government Area each day, with the majority travelling to the ACT,” Mayor Jones said.

“The Parkwood development has been planned over many years as a seamless cross-border community. The goal is a ‘20-minute place’, where residents can access everyday services, recreation and transport options close to home.”

Mayor Jones said recent financial modelling has also demonstrated the long-term benefits of retaining Parkwood within NSW. “This planning work will help deliver housing for around 13,000 future residents while supporting Council’s long-term financial sustainability through a growing ratepayer base.”

Yass Valley Council CEO Gayleen Burley said the draft plan reflects extensive technical work. “Our planning team has spent the past two years preparing the Development Control Plan to ensure a robust and flexible framework for future development,” Ms Burley said. “It will guide the delivery of housing, infrastructure and environmental protection while providing the detailed planning controls needed to assess future development applications.”

Council’s Director of Planning and Environmental Services, Andrew Neil, said the plan had been developed in consultation with key stakeholders. “The three primary landholders within the Parkwood area have indicated their support for the draft. We now encourage the broader community to review the plan and make submissions,” Mr Neil said. “The DCP outlines key requirements including lot sizes, road setbacks, biodiversity protection, and a range of housing types from detached homes to mixed-use development.”

Your Voice Counts!

The Draft Parkwood Development Control Plan is now on public exhibition. Community members are invited to review the documents and provide feedback.

Opens: Wednesday, 4 March 2026

Closes: 5:00 pm, Wednesday, 1 April 2026

Submissions can be made through Council’s Your Voice Count’s platform https://yourvoicecounts.yassvalley.nsw.gov.au/parkwood-development-control-plan