Mayoral Message - June 2026
Published on 23 June 2026
Mayoral Message June 2026
Council is ploughing through our budget preparation with razor-sharp focus, ensuring Council is equipped to maintain core infrastructure and deliver the essential services that support our community and local businesses to thrive.
In our June Council Meeting this week, we will consider the Draft Operational Plan 2026-27, that will set the deliverable outcomes across Yass Valley for the coming year. It will also continue building on the foundational work we have achieved since coming to office in 2024, setting and following a roadmap towards long-term financial sustainability.
Council has taken a disciplined approach, prioritising our community’s fundamental needs, including the roads we travel on; the parks, play spaces and sporting fields where our town and village communities gather to connect; a modest uplift to Yass’s main street to improve safety and appearance, supporting local businesses and enhancing the experience of residents and visitors; the water and sewer services we rely on every day; and a review of the Settlement Strategy, which will guide future growth and infrastructure requirements.
These are the foundations of a liveable and thriving community, and they remain at the centre of our planning and investment.
CEO Gayleen Burley and I have had several productive meetings with Ministers and department heads over the past month regarding housing delivery, water infrastructure, our Settlement Strategy, and services such as health, education, transport, and the infrastructure required to support our community now and into the future.
It is an exciting chapter for Yass Valley as we balance growth with protecting what we love about the region and the reasons we chose it for our home in the first place.
Budget & Works Program on Roadshow
Yass Valley Council took the 2026-27 Draft Budget and Operational Plan on the road, giving residents a behind-the-scenes look at the budget, including what is considered “business as usual" and the specific projects we have sought your feedback on to ensure we have correctly prioritised projects for the coming year.
Every day, our dedicated team works hard to maintain the services that keep our region moving, including:
The Draft Operational Plan includes one-off projects such as the commencement of the Water Treatment Plant redevelopment, the Murrumbateman Masterplan and completion of the All-Abilities Category 1 Playground, along with significant road resealing projects across Yass Valley, including Binalong and Bookham. We are also continuing to advocate for major infrastructure projects, including the full duplication of the Barton Highway and Murrumbateman Bypass.
Council wants to ensure our budget and initiatives reflect the services that matter most to you, from water and waste to planning and recreation. We have enjoyed meeting many of you at our roadshow sessions in Yass, Binalong, Murrumbateman, Yass, Sutton, and Wee Jasper.
All feedback will be reviewed and presented at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Thursday 25 June 2026.
A seat at the table for the community
Yass Valley Council’s committees are firing up this month, enriching Councillor decision-making through policy input and strategies that are robustly tested by community members and focus groups, helping to guide projects through to completion.
The committees include the Access & Age-Friendly Advisory Committee, First Nations Advisory Community, Economic Development Advisory Committee, Sport & Open Spaces Committee, Pump Track Focus Group, and the Yass Pool Redevelopment Committee.
Councillors who will chair these committees, along with Council staff, greatly enjoyed meeting committee members as they joined us in the new Council Chambers for their induction evening.
Crago Mill Precinct Activates!
Many residents are making the new Yass Valley Library part of their regular weekly or daily routine, with plenty of resources, including the latest magazines, newspapers, books and digital materials at their fingertips in what is truly a warm and welcoming space.
It is comforting to see families using this facility and to know there are carers rooms and baby change facilities available, meaning looking after children in winter no longer must be the chilly experience it once was in the open-air amenities block.
It was an honour to welcome so many residents to the opening of the Crago Mill Precinct, with more than 800 visitors attending the new Library alone that morning. I loved involving the children who were present, asking them to hold the red opening ribbon as it was cut. After all, it is very much their space and will be enjoyed by their children in years to come.
I am grateful to see our dedicated staff working in a professional environment where they can safely and effectively serve our community and work together as a team more effectively.
Progress continues with landscaping and entry pathways taking shape, with construction teams soon turning their focus onto making the Crago Mill safe and undertaking the works that will once again open it up to the main street focal point.
Meeting room names in Ngunnawal language have now been finalised for the two new buildings, thanks to the Elders and community members who have contributed to this important cultural enrichment of the site.
We are still seeking recommendations from the community for the naming of both the new Administration & Library buildings. Submissions can be made online through Your Voice Counts or in person via the feedback boxes located at the Customer Service counter in the Administration Building and in the Library. Submissions close Friday 26 June 2026.
Local Government Awards Finalist
I would like to celebrate Yass Valley Council’s shortlisting as a finalist for the 2026 NSW Local Government Excellence Awards in the ‘Special Project Initiative’ category for our ‘Workplace Change Proposal’. While we did not take home the award, being recognised among the sector's most innovative and groundbreaking projects is a significant achievement for our team.
I want to sincerely thank CEO Mrs Gayleen Burley and Director of Corporate & Community Mrs Peta Gardiner for their incredible dedication and innovation in delivering this work. Their vision and leadership ensure that our organisation remains financially responsible and well positioned to deliver quality services and infrastructure for the Yass Valley community.
I took a road trip to Wagga Wagga to meet fellow Regional Mayors and several Regional MPs, to meet with the NSW Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe, advocating for ongoing community benefit funding for the five regions hosting the 365km HomeLink project.
Our united leadership is seeking a "fair go" when it comes to landscape industrialisation, with a focus on securing adequate community legacy payments for the significant impact of transmission towers and lines, along with fairer funding for "access areas" outside Renewable Energy Zones and greater regional resources to help manage the impacts of State Significant Renewable Energy projects.
Many of these projects are unsuitable for the Yass Valley, which is already hosting, or has had approved, several projects by the State. This has occurred without the cumulative impacts being fully understood or adequately assessed.
Yass Valley is already shouldering a significant share of the burden for New South Wales, yet our community is receiving grants that could be considered little more than a ‘rounding error’ when compared with the revenue generated by these developments.
Kicking goals for Rural Health
As I enthusiastically stumbled my way through the first weeks of coaching a teenage soccer team for the first time, it was somewhat confronting to read the how-to guide on managing concussions as a part of the coach training, should the need ever arise. Within a few weeks, we have experienced a broken limb, ligament injuries and a concussion. Having access to X-ray services and expert medical treatment at Yass Hospital is vital, not just for weekday emergencies but also for the inevitable weekend sports injuries.
I was discussing health services in Yass again following a productive Rural & Regional Local Government NSW Summit and Country Mayors Association of NSW meeting at NSW Parliament. It was a valuable opportunity to champion our community’s needs with the Premier and MPs on issues ranging from drought relief to essential infrastructure.
Experiences such as born-before-arrival and roadside births provide an authentic and compelling voice for advocacy directly to the Premier and Ministers regarding the restoration of rural maternity services. It was heartening to see this issue included among the top six initiatives being championed by Local Government NSW.
Born out of the need to connect virtually during COVID-19 lockdowns, our Council continues to hold regular meetings with Southern NSW Local Health District, neighbouring Mayors and MPs. I can share the following updates:
State Government takes the wheel on ‘Red Fleet’
In a significant legislative shift for Yass Valley Council, the State Government has confirmed it will assume ownership and responsibility of the Rural Fire Service “Red Fleet” mobile assets effective from 1 July 2027.
This reform follows years of advocacy and addresses a long-standing issue whereby Councils were required to record these assets on their financial statements despite having no control over them. This change will remove a substantial burden from our Council’s bottom line. As a result, I have already requested that our Long-Term Financial Plan be remodelled to reflect the removal of the depreciation associated with these vehicles, which Council currently carries on its books.
This ‘accounting win’ does not diminish Yass Valley Council’s long history of supporting our local Rural Fire Services. We will continue to work collaboratively and support one another through emergency responses and key committees, including the Bushfire Management Committee, which I attended last week, and our Local Emergency Management Agencies Committee.
Yass Valley Council paves the way on road improvements
Council is making the case to both Federal and State Governments to prioritise regional communities, calling for urgent road safety upgrades. A Mayoral Minute was unanimously supported to seek urgent improvements to the Yass Valley Way intersection with the Hume Highway following a fatality on ANZAC Day, as well as the Lachlan Valley Way and Burley Griffin Way intersections. We have also called for the Shingle Hill Way intersection with the Federal Highway to be upgraded, as it is considered a critical safety risk.
With three Federal highways, two state roads, and six regional roads, Yass Valley is effectively a strategic transport corridor and should be more appropriately funded.
Local roads are also under review, with Council undertaking an independent road audit using National Transport Research Organisation (NTRO) to better understand areas of improvement and areas of strengths, including materials, construction techniques, resource allocation and opportunities to improve quality and efficiency.
Roads to Recovery Project Update
As part of the Crown Lands grants received, our Senior Biosecurity Weeds Officer has completed weed control works on Kangiara and is due to finish weed control work at Lake George.
Munching through the work pays off
The Environmental Health Officer has been busy completing Food Business Inspections across the Yass Valley, eliminating the need for external contractors. A great efficiency outcome!
Planning Minister visits Yass Valley with funding announcement
The NSW Minister for Planning & Public Spaces, the Hon. Paul Scully MP, and NSW MP Bob Nanva visited Yass Valley, where we discussed key issues for our region, including housing growth, water supply, the challenges of renewable energy projects, HumeLink, and the NSW Parkwood development. Notably, Council has adopted the comprehensive Development Control Plan for Parkwood, which is set to deliver 5,600 homes for NSW.
During the visit, we welcomed the Minister’s announcement that Yass Valley Council has successfully secured a $191,065 NSW Government contribution through the Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund. This funding will be used to prepare a technical feasibility study on the transfer of water from Canberra to Murrumbateman. This project is a significant milestone that could fast-track an additional 2,958 homes in Yass and Murrumbateman as part of our current settlement strategy.
Parkwood is part of Yass Valley - the Premier state.
I have written to the Premier and met with representatives from the Premier’s Office, the Planning Minister’s office and Water Minister this month, strongly advocating that Council remains committed to the current border and opposes any proposal from the ACT Government to acquire this land, particularly without any recognition or compensation of loss of revenue to NSW & Yass Valley Governments respectively, and in perpetuity. This response relates to the recent correspondence from the ACT Chief Minister to the NSW Premier, also sent to me, risking the ongoing viability of growth in the Capital Region, including the cessation of the in-principle agreement to supply water to Yass and Murrumbateman for future growth, which was then escalated to the supply of water for the Parkwood itself.
Yass Valley Council undertook detailed modelling in 2025, including a thorough bottom-up analysis, which shows that with the appropriate fees and charges for the area, the development is beneficial for our community and supports maintaining the current NSW/ACT border, alongside the 5,600 homes approved under the 2020 Planning Proposal for the Parkwood development in Yass Valley, NSW.
Overall, the development, with appropriate rating to deliver urban-level services for that part of Yass Valley, would increase Council’s financial sustainability and help share the load for existing residents. Yass Valley Council has completed the Development Control Plan for Parkwood, a significant planning achievement.
It was good to see Mr Bob Nanva NSW MLC clarify publicly for the ACT Government that NSW is the premier state and that Parkwood is ideally situated within it, as can be viewed in his public remarks here: https://youtu.be/7OjSs7MzFFg
Yass Valley Council continues in good faith to collaborate constructively with a Capital Region focus, having recently approved the planning proposal required to meet the environmental requirements for a site in Wallaroo to enable the delivery of electricity infrastructure to North Belconnen.
Cross border Conservation Trust has long history of Yass Valley Council contribution
I recently attended the bi-monthly meeting of the Ginninderry Conservation Trust Board, where we approved its budget and works plan within ‘The Corridor’, which includes endangered Natural Temperate Grassland habitat. The Trust’s management area will eventually encompass conservation land in NSW as the project crosses the border.
I have been a foundational member of The Trust for over six years, and I am particularly proud of the Trust’s work in securing significant grant funding for an additional two Caring for Country Indigenous Rangers, who have now joined the team.
The Trust oversees the conservation work, weed and feral animal control, tracks and trails management, visitor guides, school programs, and enables leading research undertaken by universities and our team, as well as the financial sustainability of the Trust. This will soon include the management of a function and learning centre to generate supporting income and serve visitors to the area.
If this Development Application is not approved in the ACT, the NSW land could provide an equally suitable location for this environmental and cultural focused project.
Taking Yass Valley issues to NSW Parliament
I recently attended NSW Parliament alongside other Mayors and our CEOs from our Joint Organisation to advocate for the Yass Valley community and our broader region. By working together, we successfully engaged with various Ministers and Shadow Ministers to discuss regional priorities, including water infrastructure funding, renewable energy impacts and fairer community funding, and planning rule updates.
I was also able to secure some one-on-one meetings including NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson, NSW Health Minister Ryan Park, senior staff from the NSW Premier’s Department and Minister for Planning, and Bob Nanva MLC, to discuss:
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Progress on the federally funded $4.7 million ‘Bub-Hub’, delivering continuity of pre and postnatal care for women, along with lactation consultancy, birth trauma counselling, birth education, physiotherapy, and more.
Yass Valley dives into National General Assembly
Yass Valley issues will be represented at the National General Assembly of Councils on 23 – 25 June, as we join 537 Councils with approximately 1,000 delegates in Canberra . This is an opportunity to robustly debate motions and develop a list of key issues for our peak body to advocate to the Federal Government, supporting our local communities. Yass Valley Council has a strategic motion on an Olympic Swimming Pools Renewal Fund, supported by Newcastle City Council (NSW), Bass Coast Shire Council (VIC), Shire of Campaspe (VIC), Moyne Shire Council (VIC).
I will be putting to the National General Assembly that we call on the Australian Government to establish an ongoing national funding program to support the renewal, replacement and modernisation of council‑owned public swimming and aquatic facilities, recognising them as essential community infrastructure and prioritising ageing assets, particularly in regional and remote areas, to improve community health, safety, resilience and long‑term asset sustainability.
Yass Valley Council will also put forward motions calling for:
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Restoring federal funding for the Green Army or similar grassroots program supporting environmental action in collaboration with First Nations people and Councils, potentially strengthening the work of Caring for Country Indigenous Rangers, and delivering associated regional, social, economic, and environmental benefits.
Yass Dam full & Water treatment Plant Progress
The $38 million grant-funded Yass Water Treatment Plant upgrade has moved into the design & construct preferred tender process, with three selectees. Council expects to commence construction in March 2027 and commission the works by the end of 2028.
The dam is currently 100% full – a blessing for our town and village water supply. I am grateful that our farming community have dams filling and have received sufficient rainfall to date, defying the BOM’s predictions just last month of an impending drought.
Too much at stake to burn waste
A proposal to incinerate Sydney’s waste in Tarago, near Goulburn, within cooee as the crow flies along prevailing easterly winds to the heart of the Murrumbateman Cool Climate Wine Region of Excellence is reckless and places an unfair burden on our region, our families, viticulture industry as well as the $4.3 billion Destination NSW & Capital Region tourism economy.
I went to Goulburn to give evidence to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into Waste-to-Energy, alongside Queanbeyan-Palarang Regional Council (QPRC) Mayor Kenrick Winchester, & Goulburn Mulwaree Council Mayor Nina Dillon, regional farmers, wine industry representatives and grape growing peak bodies. We are told it is safe - if it is so safe, Sydney can keep it and deal with it at the source!
What the Australian Wine Research Institute has highlighted is that even if a company complies with national guidelines for toxic emissions, grape skins can absorb contaminants at levels far exceeding acceptable thresholds, with the result that harvests may be lost to smoke taint.
On behalf of Yass Valley Council and our community, I will continue to represent our local wine industry, agricultural sector, home growers and residents in opposing such a proposal.
It was an honour to present our Rural Fire Service firefighters with their service medals and citations for service in the face of both fire and flood at a ceremony at Murrumbateman.
The awards marked significant milestones and distinguished service protecting communities here and abroad.
A special mention for Peter and Helen Middleton, part of the NSW RFS Southern Tablelands Zone family, who together represent 122 years of shared service between them. Councillor Alvaro Charry and Acting CEO on the day Mrs Peta Gardiner also attended, representing Yass Valley Council.
Michael McCormack MP, Federal Member for Riverina and I had the honour of joining Acting Assistant Commissioner Greg Wardle in presenting medals recognising 60, 50, 40, 30, 20 and 10 years of service to men and women from Yass Valley who choose to care and choose to serve.
Bellmount Forest Welcomes Tanker
Acting CEO Mrs Peta Gardiner joined me, along with District Manager Krystaal Hinds, Group Captain Brett Lees, Captain Denver Baines and Phil Gaden, for the official handover of a new tanker for the Bellmount Forest Brigade. The superior safety equipment, including halo sprinkler system and window shields, ensures our current volunteers are protected, and reliable modern equipment also helps present a professional operation to prospective new recruits.
From sheltering Bowning residents from a blazing bushfire to hosting school fete fun over the past century, Bowning Hall is steeped in the stories of village life in Yass Valley. Congratulations to the Bowning Hall Committee on the Centenary Celebration for Bowning Hall 1926-2026.
It was a fabulous family day out and incredibly special to have Richard Glover unveil the foundation stone centenary plaque. Richard’s grandfather, Thomas Glover, was instrumental in the construction, and the Glover family has made significant contribution of effort and skills over the decades to the hall and community, from its beginning as “Advance Hall.”
Also acknowledged were Rod and Desnee Pack as life members. Frances and Stuart Atkins are to be commended for their efforts, along with all the volunteers who brought the day’s celebration together, including Yass & District Historical Society Inc, Yass Valley SPIN Foundation, NSW RFS Bowning Brigade and Daniel Kelly Music. Bowning Public School students will also have the opportunity in future to dig up the time capsule buried by current students on the day. Thank you to Federal Member for the Riverina, Mr Michael McCormack MP, for marking the day with us. Yass Valley Council was proud to play a supporting sponsorship role.
All in – Walk for Reconciliation
I would like to congratulate and thank everyone who helped organise and participate in the Reconciliation Walk in Yass, from our preschoolers to high school students and community members. While rain may have cancelled much of the final ceremony, the turnout and spirit displayed matched the theme – All in.
Our most recent Yuma Coffee Catch Up was the first held at the new Yass Valley Library. Thank you to Aunty Pam and Aunty Audrey, it was fantastic catching up with you, hearing your news, concerns, exciting opportunities for youth coming up, and learn from your stories you shared with us.
Don’t waste time - mix it up
Mixed recycling is now accepted at all Yass Valley Waste Transfer Stations, just as it is for home recycling. Mixed recycling means one less thing for you to do, whilst still contributing to a cleaner, greener Yass Valley!
Simply take all your mixed recycling and place it into one of the large bins or through the window hatches. It will then be mechanically separated and sorted at the Material Recovery Facility (MRF). Large recycling bins will be rolled out to all Waste Transfer Stations in the coming months. Here is a helpful reminder of what can and cannot be recycled: Mixed recycling now accepted at Yass Valley Waste Transfer Stations Yass Valley Council
Rain delays play but worth the wait
Progress on both Bookham Playground and Murrumbateman All-Abilities Category 1 Playground construction has slowed due to the rain. At Bookham, equipment was installed last week; however, due to the rain delays, completion is now scheduled for the end of June. The Yass Rotary Lookout construction start has also been rescheduled to August due to wet weather.
Save the date 5-11 July, for Yass Valley NAIDOC Week events, including Story Time with Elders, Language, Art, Weaving, and Native Plant Workshops, as well as a Movie Night and Market Day. Yass Valley Council is proud to support the Onerwal Aboriginal Land Council in the largest ever program of activities in our region.
Next date is the Monday 29 June
I welcomed residents to the first Mornings with the Mayor sessions held in the Crago Mill Precinct – thank you to Wendy Dashwood (pictured with Customer Service Officer Maree and myself) for taking the time to book a session. I also met with some busy business owners online, which suited their schedule. If you have a good idea on how Council can improve a service or infrastructure or would like to share a new project your organisation would like support letters for, please use our website - click on ‘Events’ and book an appointment.
Mornings with the Mayor - June 29 2026 Yass Valley Council