Mayoral Message - April 2026
Published on 03 April 2026
Here is the latest update from Yass Valley Mayor Jasmin Jones:
As we come through days of profound significance in Holy Week, I pray that our Jewish friends have had a blessed and peaceful Passover and our Christian community has a blessed and meaningful Easter. May this time of rest and reflection bring renewal, hope, perseverance, and a spirit of unity to all in our community.
Please take time to pause, reflect, and count the many blessings given to each of us and consider the many sacrifices our loved ones, and those who choose to serve our community and nation, make for us. In recent times, we can all be forgiven for feeling unsettled by challenges and uncertainty before us. If we pause and take stock, our blessings undoubtedly tip the scales.
For those travelling during the school holidays, I pray for your safe return to Yass Valley.
For families taking this break at home, our Autumn School Holiday Program at the Yass Valley Library includes plenty of interesting activities from painting, mousetrap racers, DIY charms, rock art to movies and drop-in craft.
It’s also a stunning time to get out in nature and see the majesty and colour of our region in Autumn from Wee Jasper Reserves to our Yass River.
Why the Long Grass? If you have been wondering why Council isn’t cutting down the long grass and introduced reeds near the riverbanks in town, we are following strict protocols to protect a breeding habitat of an endangered bird…more to come on that intriguing news!
Friends of Yass Gorge volunteers such as Tom O’Dea have been tackling the job of maintaining paths in Yass Gorge so we can all enjoy this spectacular natural temperate grassland and the river. Thank you to all our volunteers across Yass Valley who make us a more welcoming community in so many ways.
Fuel Security and Council Operations
At this time, Yass Valley Council services remain ‘business as usual’. We currently hold approximately 49,000 litres of diesel in storage which is enough to sustain standard operations, such as waste collection and road maintenance, for about two months.
As part of our Business Continuity Planning, we are identifying priority services and mitigation measures to manage potential fuel impacts, similar to our approach during COVID-19. I also recently joined over 120 Mayors and Council Executives for a briefing with Local Government NSW to advocate for emergency preparedness and priority fuel deliveries for regional centres and essential services. Council will continue to keep the community informed of any developments.
Water Restrictions Lifted, Treatment Plant Upgrade & Smart Meters
Thank you for doing your part while we waited for solid rainfall to lift us out of Level 1 restrictions that were triggered at 81% capacity. The Yass Dam is now above 90% capacity.
The Yass Water Treatment Plant Upgrade ($36.2M State & Federal grant funded) is progressing with expression of interest tender process, including a mandatory onsite meeting on March 11 of all contractors and suppliers. The EOI will close on 15 April 2026 with the project construction set for October 2026 and completion mid 2028.
Council has also begun the roll out of smart water metering across the Yass Water Supply, marking another key step in our commitment to improving the efficiency and sustainability of our water supply. Council has collaborated with Telstra and Taggle for this rollout. The program is currently in its pilot stages, with smart meters being trialled among 75 of Council’s largest commercial water users and 130 key residential properties. Information from these first installations will help Council to manage smart water metering moving forward. Smart water metering will advanced capabilities such as automatic leak notification, helping to reduce water wastage and prevent damage to both Council and private infrastructure.
Murrumbateman All Abilities Playground - Construction Starts April 13
This much anticipated play space will transform the basic Hercules St playground site into a local and regional attraction. From flying foxes for all abilities to quiet zones and timber play, I can’t wait to see families with kids of all abilities connect and play in this space. A special acknowledgement of Deputy Mayor Kristin Butler who championed this project to secure grant funding.
Murrumbateman Pump Track
At its March meeting, Council noted the revised project plan for the concept design stage and agreed that a site selection will be brought to Council by July 2026. Funds assigned are for site selection only at this stage, however Council acknowledges the strong community support for this project. A recent community organised initiative of a bike ride and a petition demonstrate growing leadership and support within the Murrumbateman community to help realise this long held vision for a formalised bike track. A purpose-built pump track would certainly be a valued local and regional attraction!
Yass Pool heats up next season
“Stone the crows that’s cold!” to “Feels tropical!” A special shout out to the Yass Swimming Club that crowned this year’s swim season with the official ribbon cutting on the new heating system at Yass Memorial Pool. This paves the way for longer swimming seasons going forward, making our local Olympic pool more accessible to everyone from toddlers learning to swim, swim club members and state rep training, to our elderly, infirm, and surgery survivors in need of a gentle exercise regime in warmer water. Thank you to Deb, Donna, Hugh and the whole YSC team behind the grant and the Club and to our council staff who worked alongside this project from beginning to end.
As the season wraps with the pool now closed, I would like to give a special thank you to all the casual lifeguards and our Pool Manager Alex who have kept us cool, safe and having fun across a season with week-long heatwaves showing us how valuable this community asset is. The Shine Shield events at Yass and Binalong were also a well-attended tradition that helped bring our rural communities together.
‘In the know’ on our rural road network
You can now check on our website exactly what roads are planned to be graded and when, and track what was done and any carry over works or delays. You can see where your road sits in priority and how regularly your road is scheduled for grading by visiting the roads hierarchy list. You can also see any scheduled emergency works underway. This is a commitment your council has delivered on to build trust in communicating with our community. You can find this schedule on website under Services – Roads.
Drought Assistance achieved: celebrating the wins
Last August, five Mayors from drought impacted regions joined forces to hold a Drought Summit connecting our farmers and rural community leaders at a stressful time. We took those learnings to politicians and peak bodies and the media advocating for changes, including the removal of red tape for upfront loans, so farmers – already the most resilient business people in the country - can access real funds in real times of real emergency. I am pleased to share that the State Government through the Rural Assistance Authority is now offering Drought Relief Loan Low interest loans of up to $100,000, offering an upfront payment option, reduced documentation requirements, and no requirement for property security. This loan supports primary producers managing the increasing impacts of drought and can fund a wide range of activities, including on farm infrastructure, animal welfare, and environmental improvements. See www.raa.nsw.gov.au.
Another service to access is The Rural Financial Counselling Service – it is a free, confidential support for primary producers and small businesses on financial stability and security. See RFCS Central & Southern NSW, www.rfcsnsw.org.au Phone: 1800 678 593
Binalong - Burley Griffin Way Success
Strong advocacy from community and Council saw Transport for New South Wales agree to a fresh plan to address safety on Burley Griffin Way – Stephens Street. We will now see town entry gateway treatments at the eastern and western approaches to the 50 km zone, installation of curved advisory signage at the intersection, safety barriers installed at Fitzroy St, recommended new mobile speed camera sites at the south-east end of the 50 km zone, and importantly, the removal of the Richmond Street closure. This follows community petitions, a town hall meeting I called, followed by meeting with Transport Minister Jenny Aitchison and the TfNSW team to push for our community’s fairer plan.
Shingle Hill Way and Federal Highway
Council is supporting a coordinated call for a full upgrade to this intersection to protect lives. Yass Valley Council, Queanbeyan Council, NSW RFS - Gundaroo Brigade, and supported by local police from several jurisdictions, have held on-site meetings with Transport for NSW. I personally took the Minister’s team on site to see just how dangerous the conditions can become at this intersection, which is a popular route to the coast straddling two local government areas and an important stock & fodder agricultural route.
Gundaroo and Wamboin RFS also report attending an increasing number of serious accidents. The $4.4M investment upgrade of Shingle Hill Bridge by the current State and Federal governments has boosted freight and productivity - now the strategic response to all that extra heavy-load vehicle risk is to upgrade the tie-in to the Federal Highway. Worth fighting for!
We’ve also received support from TfNSW on interim safety measures. Thanks to our Local Transport Forum and Council staff for getting the rumble strips, signage upgrade, lighting, speed review and other safety measures on the agenda and through that committee, so Council can quickly improve safety to the intersection approach.
Council’s Financial Sustainability and Business Improvement
The new Council and executive are working diligently towards bringing our operations as close as possible to a balance budget. This is being achieved through the Financial Sustainability Roadmap, introducing a Property Strategy, working through the pricing of externally restricted funds (waste, water and sewer), and Service Reviews. A report will be presented to the April meeting on the estimated financial impacts of these initiatives on operating deficits, and will also include consideration of a reduced (i.e. <40%) potential revised SRV application.
While the operating cash situation is looking much healthier, the backlog of critical maintenance remains and will only increase without funds released to address asset maintenance - the old saying a stitch in time saves nine certainly rings true for infrastructure such as roads and aging facilities.
Advocacy for our issues
A small delegation from Yass Valley Council will attend the Australian Local Government Association - National General Assembly regional day session – while I take our local issues to the national arena with motions for advocacy and action.
I look forward to championing the following issues to ensure our local priorities that have relevance to other council areas too receive the national attention they deserve.
War widow & widower rates rebate equity
I am also advocating for greater concession equity for our war widows and widowers here in Yass Valley and across the nation for the removal of income testing for war widow/widowers to ensure concession equity. Currently a third of our veterans’ families that are left behind are missing out.
The Crago Mill Precinct completion is imminent with the final step the occupation certificate. I cannot wait to see the hoarding come down, our new Library activated and our staff in modern premises.
Comur Street revitalisation continues with Council’s recent approval of the ‘phoenix from the flames’ Commercial Hotel development. This 20-million-dollar project will restore an iconic 170-year traditional use of that site and include a function centre and hotel accommodation.
Yass Valley Business Chamber will be joining Council and our new Manager of Community Spaces Mr Denis Chan on a walk through the CBD to help identify key low-cost high yield practical steps we can take to give our Main Street a budget glow-up, while we must stoically endure the high-street grants drought happening across NSW for masterplanned improvements. Whether it be a regular high-pressure hose, bricks fixed and gardens given symmetry and fresh plantings - it can all lead to a better first impression for tourists and year-round community enjoyment.
Yass ‘Mothers’ Hub’ construction underway
Our community and council has supported a hard-fought win to secure improved services for our birthing mothers. I was thrilled to see the roof restoration well underway for ‘The Mothers’ Hub’ during a check-up on this vital facility at Yass Hospital site for our growing region. This month I had a productive meeting with Southern NSW Local Health District managers and capital works team including Project Coordinator Louise Griffith, who brings her wonderful expertise as a midwife to this initiative.
The project tender will be awarded within the fortnight, and construction for the redevelopment is on track for completion by the end of September! It’s also exciting to share that recruiting for midwife positions to support pre- and post-natal care, birth classes, culturally safe midwifery and birth trauma counselling has been very successful to date. The recruitment process for a lactation consultant is also officially underway. This project is part of a $4.7 million federal Labor election commitment thanks to Kristy McBain MP with the deed for those funds now placed with the State Government, ensuring a welcoming and safe space for pre and postnatal care, childbirth classes for mums, dads and birthing partners, and strong continuity of midwifery care with birthing hospitals Goulburn & Queanbeyan.
Yass Valley puts on a show!
Congratulations must go to several volunteer organisations such as The Yass Show Society and The Yass Picnic Races Committee that have created outstanding events that continue to showcase Yass Valley as a destination tourism experience and ensure our local community has vibrant events here at home. These events are only possible with the hard work of dedicated committee members and volunteers.
It was so wonderful to see the Yass Show Society utilise grants to provide an entire ‘side-show alley’ of free entertainment for kids and teenagers from inflatable castle/slides, archery, rock-climbing, animal nursery, crafts, chocolate wheels, balloons, and the eye-popping WildLife reimagined team – a homegrown business success story in itself. As a mum myself I genuinely appreciated the family affordable day out. It was also inspiring to see the next generation stepping up with junior wool judges in action, young show stewards, entrants, and participants.
It was an honour to be on the panel for Yass Valley Business Chamber’s International Women’s Day breakfast event with Yass Valley Community Ambassador Marina Maguire, local businesswoman and women’s advocate Margot Shannon and Telstra’s Christina Cawkill. I was able to highlight how Council supports our women, our policies that assist with family-life balance, their professional development, safety in the workforce, stretching their skills through new experiences and career progression.
Yass Valley Council’s grant funded Seniors Festival concluded on 13 March and included visits to local attractions from the Wee Jasper Gin Distillery to Peter Minson’s Glass Blowing Studio in Binalong and an outward-bound adventure to Junee Chocolate factory. The grant-funded program was a major success, delivering seven free activities that were exceptionally well-received. Six events were fully booked, and the final session saw high attendance, highlighting a strong community demand for inclusive social opportunities.
Congratulations to our Federal Member for Riverina Michael McCormack celebrating his 15th year of service to our nation, with some of that time as Acting Prime Minister. It was an honour to join him in a celebration with family and friends this past week. We are looking forward to the opening of his Yass Electorate Office on Comur Street soon.
Coming up – Council is assisting our community promote and prepare for ANZAC Day services and associated road closures across Yass Valley on April 25th. Wee Jasper’s Heritage Fair across the Anzac Day 25-26th weekend promises to be a cracking event worthy of a pool car journey for.
Yass Rail Trail
Imagine taking a bike ride (pedal power or E-bike)with a picnic lunch in the basket starting in Yass near the Crago Mill Precinct on the doorstep of the historic Mill, past the historic Railway Museum, along a smooth path, past the Old Gas Works site, stunning Yass River with its enduring connection to our Ngunnawal community and culture, town and countryside vistas and across a first-of-its-kind in Australia heritage bridge restored for pedestrian and bicycle traffic, all the way to the Yass Junction…?
Picnic stops, drinking fountains, lighting, Ngunnawal and early pioneer history drop interpretive signs along the way. All with capacity for a compliant tram line to be fitted for a future tourist tram ride to the bridge and back? If you like the idea of any of this fully grant funded design, why not take the Yass Rail Trail Survey? Closes 24 April.
Mornings with the Mayor – Tuesday, 07 April 2026, 11am to 12pm
Got a great idea? Is there an issue you have trouble connecting the dots on? Would you like to tell Council about a great project your organisation is working on? Let’s talk! You can book a 10 min slot with me for either in person at the Council offices in Yass, Comur Street, or online via Teams.
This month's ‘Mornings with the Mayor’ is on Tuesday, 7 April between 11.00 am and 12.00 pm. There are a limited number of slots, so please book early to avoid disappointment. Successful applicants will be advised of their times before Tuesday. Please note - Deputy Mayor Butler is unable to be present at this April meeting. To book you spot, go to the EVENTS tab on Council’s website.
Wishing you all a safe and happy Easter,
Jasmin Jones