June Council Meeting Round-Up

Published on 27 June 2025

This month’s council meeting included some big-ticket items – from renewable energy and drought, to the Financial Sustainability Roadmap and endorsement of the IP&R documents - which also include this year’s rates.

DA’s - included Manton Park, Rossi St, Yass and serviced apartments in Murrumbateman.  

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

• Renewable Energy Turbine Projects - Many community members spoke in Open Forum about the impact of over saturation of renewable energy turbine projects in the Yass Valley and the harmful effects they are having on communities. They welcomed Council’s planned advocacy to State and Federal government to reiterate Yass Valley Council’s established policy position, reflect community concerns and highlight the need to protect our dark skies and the sensitive low EMI operating environment required by our established local space industry. 
  
  
• Drought Natural Disaster Declaration – Council agreed to advocate for the ‘green’ drought to be called a natural disaster and to request relief funding and transport subsidiaries for our farmers.
  
  
• Integrated Planning and Reporting Documents (IP&R) – These were formally adopted and will form the basis of Council’s strategy and planning for the next four years. All 52 items of community feedback were considered, and a big thank you was given to all who contributed to the submission process. Detailed feedback/responses on the submissions will be uploaded to Council’s website next week.
  
  
• Rates – These have been set for 2025/26 and have increased by 4.1% in line with IPART rate capping limitations.
  
  
• Financial Sustainability Roadmap – Council agreed to adopt the Roadmap, which outlines the financial challenges, vision, and planned activities to help guide us toward financial sustainability. The Roadmap is now on Public Consultation for 28 days – so have your say!
  
  
• DA’s – Council approved the 51-lot subdivision on Rossi Street, Yass, and a modification to an existing DA for the Manton Park subdivision (stage 4 & 5) to increase lots from 97 to 108. DA was declined for the serviced apartments in Kiers Rd, Murrumbateman.
  
  
• Planning Proposals – Approval was given for land off Wallaroo Road to be rezoned as environmentally managed land, to preserve biodiversity and conservation values as part of the Ginninderry project.
  
  
• LRCI Funding – Agreed to defer the decision on reallocating community project funding, pending further discussions with the grant provider.
  
  
• Council Sporting Facilities User Fees – Agreed to an interim 2.5% CPI increase whilst the review continues.
  
  
• Community Fees - Agreed to apply a water rebate for Yass Landcare water use and waive the hall usage fee for the ‘Biggest Morning Tea’ at Sutton Hall.

Other Council Business:

• Noted that improvements continue to be made in DA processing times due to ongoing continuous improvement initiatives.
• Agreed to a 10-year plan for Transport Capital Works - outlining plans for our roads, footpaths/bikes and accessibility.
• Received an update on the Water Treatment Plant Upgrade Project.
• Approved a new two-year temporary Executive Services Directorate to focus on implementing financial sustainability and business improvement initiatives.

Head to our Council Meeting page to find out more, read the meeting minutes online, or listen again via our live link.

Further information on the IP&R documents and community feedback will be available soon.

The Financial Sustainability Roadmap is up for exhibition and you can make any comments via the Public Consultation Page.