Mayoral Message - September & October 2025

Published on 14 October 2025

LET’S START WITH OUR VOLUNTEERS!

Just as Regional Australia is the powerhouse of NSW, Yass Valley’s villages consistently shine bright for both their community and economic contributions.

Whether it be the Murrumbateman Field Days this coming weekend or Binalong’s recent success hosting the Men’s World Sand Greens Golf Championship for the second year, it takes determination, commitment and coordination from volunteers to make these events come to fruition. I want to particularly salute our volunteers’ efforts across Yass Valley - from culturally and community-based groups to first responders, sports and schools - you are the heart, backbone and muscle that support our community. Thank you! 

OCTOBER MENTAL HEALTH MONTH - FOCUS ON FARMERS FOR YASS VALLEY

For October's Mental Health Month, Yass Valley Council partnered with Southern NSW Local Health District to support the well-being of our communities, especially our farmers who produce our nation’s food and fibre. I reached out to our local health district to discuss our region’s ongoing stress-related challenges, and together with the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP), we arrange a street stall morning tea to promote mental health conversations and community connection. Great to have Federal Member for the Riverina, the Honourable Michael McCormack MP, drop in and show his support.  

Thank you to Judy, Lola, Neil, from the RAMHP team and Council’s Director of Community & Corporate, Ms Peta Gardiner, for making those connections. We continue to brainstorm ideas to better connect with our local farming families, so stay tuned for further events. 

MY CALL OUT TO FARMERS

Farmers are, by necessity, some of the most resilient human beings on the planet. But just like a top athlete that’s copped a few too many rough tackles, some expert care and team support is sometimes needed. Let’s face it – after two year’s of drought and a bobtail spring in the making, the season’s outlook is by no means certain. We have local people in our community who can help and support your mental health. Remember, you are not alone, and there are people who can offer an ear, listen, or provide specialist help and support. 

For immediate assistance, please reach out to the Rural Adversity Mental Health Program (RAMHP) Coordinator in Yass, Judy Carmody, at Judy.Carmody@health.nsw.gov.au. Judy is co-located with community mental health staff at Yass Hospital, tel: 02 6220 2000. Useful resources include online materials, the "Boots on the Ground" magazine, podcasts, and training available at www.ramhp.com.au

Specialist mental health services can be contacted through the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511. This connects Yass community members with Southern mental health staff 24/7. 

VALE DAVID CASSIDY 

It is with deep respect for Mrs Carol Cassidy and family that I acknowledge the passing of former Councillor, Mr David Cassidy. David’s abiding connection with our community leaves a legacy of volunteer work and dedication to local youth and families through his support and leadership in sport, particularly as the Chair of the Local Sports Council for 25 years.    

Mr Cassidy’s contribution and skills - from his time in banking to raising children - has left a ‘song’ of service and achievement, lifting us up and helping make our community the place it is today.  David’s service with local schools, such as Mt Carmel, church and sporting groups, spanned P&C work to swimming carnival and cross-country event compering.

Councillors paused at the September meeting to acknowledge David’s passing with a minute’s silence. Councillor Cecil Burgess, who served with David, assisted me in acknowledging Councillor Cassidy’s service and shared a joyous memory of Councillor Cassidy’s baritone voice breaking into song during past meetings. As a neighbour, I can also attest that David’s joyful and energetic voice could be heard across a sports field, just as clearly as his Yass FM community radio broadcasts, where he spoke with passion and conviction. May his soul rest in peace and the Lord’s eternal light shine upon him. 

MEN'S WORLD SAND GREENS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP IN BINALONG 

Congratulations to Sam Slater (QLD), who took the Fran Kelly perpetual trophy.  Heartfelt thanks go to all the local volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes at the Community Club, and to the host families who billeted the players. The tournament saw 95 players from four countries - Australia, USA, Lebanon, and Scotland - compete. We're especially proud of our 15 local players - with Alex Simpson from Yass securing 26th place. 

YASS VALLEY'S EMERGENCY SERVICES VOLUNTEERS HONOURED

It was my pleasure to present Richard Alley, a 19-year-old carpenter and NSW Rural Fire Service Murrumbateman volunteer, with the NSW Southern Inland Emergency Services Volunteer Of the Year award at a regional ceremony in Goulburn. Richard is the youngest Captain in the Southern Tablelands Zone of the NSW Rural Fire Service and has demonstrated extraordinary service in just six years, including training, mentoring, and emergency response. Beyond his skills as a chainsaw operator (winning first place at the 2024 RFS State Championships), he also contributes to the Yass Valley Concert Band by playing the euphonium. 

Emergency service volunteers are the backbone of our communities, providing aid, comfort, and compassion in times of crisis, and protecting lives and homes during natural disasters. They embody the qualities that ensure the heavy lifting gets done when it's most needed. 

Yass Valley was well represented across all volunteering spheres, with honours also going to teams from NSW SES - Sutton Unit, NSW SES - Yass Unit, and volunteers such as Andrew McGrath from Yass FM 100.3, Tom O’Dea from Friends of Yass Gorge, John Thorn from Murrumbateman Village Market Committee, Jaqueline Hooper from Playgroup NSW Murrumbateman, Barbara Foster from National Trust Australia (NSW) Cooma Cottage, and several RSL LifeCare - Thomas Eccles Gardens, Yass Linton Village volunteers, including Carolyn Blakely and Margaret Fraser. 

Congratulations to all our incredible volunteers for your invaluable work!  

IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC FESTIVAL SUCCESS 

The 7th Annual Irish & Celtic Music Festival was a tartan-tastic success! In the lead up, as the ornamental pear tree blossoms burst into flower down the Main Street, I couldn’t help but feel excited that Yass would soon be alive with the spirit of Ireland. It was my honour to join musicians, volunteers and supporters to officially open the festival at Yazzbar. 

Celebrating our deep Irish roots dating back to the 1800s through music, dance, and poetry. The festival strengthens our community, supports local tourism, cafes, and businesses, and keeps our motels full all weekend. Congratulations go to Festival Director Janno Scannes and the entire volunteer team for their hard work. Special appreciation also goes to Georgia and the team at Yass Valley Council for their invaluable assistance, and the generous sponsors. Thanks need to go again to the residents who billeted performers and volunteers; your hospitality is crucial to the festival's success.  

"AAAAND ACTION!" AT THE LIBERTY THEATRE YASS 

I was delighted to drop in on ‘The Friends Of Liberty Theatre’ as they build their volunteer team to bring their big screen dreams to life. At their AGM a test screening was shown, allowing us to experience the magic of a projector and sound system in this historic theatre. An intriguing film on the making of a unique pipe organ (soon to be installed), was also shown. It's not too late to join or volunteer for projects, large or small.

Well done to Bimbi, Peter, Jo, and the team!

As they say, "This is more than just movies. It’s about bringing people together, reviving a piece of Yass history, and creating a space where stories come alive. Don’t let this moment pass us by. The Liberty’s future depends on community support - and it can start with you.”  

WELCOMING REV. PIERRE VAN BLOMMESTEIN 

I was delighted to attend Yass Uniting Church St Andrews for the induction of Rev. Pierre van Blommestein. He is clearly a wonderful match for the kind, community-minded, hardworking, and faithful congregations of Yass & Goulburn. It was great to see many other local church leaders and members welcome Pierre and his family to Yass Valley. Great to see the Blommestein family will call Yass their home as part of the appointment. 

CELEBRATING ARTIST KIM NELSON'S LEGACY 

There wasn't a dry eye in Yass Soldiers’ Memorial Hall in September as Yass’ beloved Kim Nelson was celebrated. The Kim Nelson Retrospective was a lovingly curated exhibition brought together by friends and family, showcasing immense hours and expertise. Yass Valley is blessed to still have his daughter Caitlin and wife Therese embedded in our community. Kim remains a beacon of light for art and community across Australia, especially in Yass Valley. Kim’s talented niece is completing (in stages) a mural in his honour on the side of Oddfellows Hall (Kim’s former art studio). Many thanks to Council staff for their support of the exhibition and fast-tracking the necessary planning checks so the mural could begin.    

NATIONAL POLICE REMEMBRANCE DAY

On National Police Remembrance Day, it was my privilege to lay a wreath to honour the members of the NSW Police Force who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Members of The Hume Police District were joined by local school representatives, first responder organisations, community groups, and councillors. 

CRAGO MILL STAGE 1 SUCCESS AND STAGE 2 DISCONTINUED 

Following an independent review, Council decided to discontinue the full completion of Stage 2 of the Crago Mill Precinct Project. Council resolved not proceed at this time 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. If grant or beneficiary funding is secured, then a restaging of construction for part two of the project may be considered in the future pending financial impact assessments. 

For the full story, see our news webpage.

LATEST MAYORAL MINUTES - RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS, DROUGHT & ADVOCACY

Yass Valley and the surrounding region is at ground zero for the proposed roll-out of at least 18 state significant renewable energy projects, identified in the map below, despite not being an official Renewable Energy Zone. This has made our political, environmental and economic landscape a virtual battlefield. This has required Yass Valley Council, along with our State and Federal government representatives, to mobilise quickly to ensure the protection of our local resident amenity, existing agriculture and tourism-based business, and even bring into question our ability to adequately protect our communities from bushfires.  

Over the past few months, myself, councillors, the CEO and executive staff have attended numerous village meetings in Bowning and Binalong and with State and Federal representatives, proponents, and the Australian Energy Infrastructure Commissioner, and hold planning forums as a result of community concerns that need advocacy and action. 

Council has acted decisively upon an independent report on the ‘protection of our region’s communities on high bush fire threat days’. We experienced this in January 2013 - with The Cobbler Rd Fire that burnt with speed and fury through 14,000 hectares killing 15,000 head of sheep and horses, razing paddocks and fences to the ground. The report considers the cumulative impact of proposed State Significant Renewable Energy Projects in the Yass Valley and neighbouring regions, plus the unprecedented scale, height and cluster formation of turbines and transmission lines not seen before in a bush-fire prone area. Council specifically thanks retired NSW RFS Group Captain Michael Gray for his significant contribution, along with a current pilot and that of recently retired zone commanders with decades of experience, who contributed to or peer-reviewed the report. 

As Council is not the approving authority for ‘State Significant Electricity Generating Work Developments’, our role is one of leadership through advocacy to promote and protect what is in the best interests of Yass Valley. Our region has already done significant heavy lifting - with six approved and under construction turbine, BESS and solar industrial scale projects, along with hosting 51 kilometres of HumeLink through our community. Please view the report and recent Mayoral Letter to the Prime Minister, NSW Premier & relevant Ministers(PDF, 721KB) as resolved by Yass Valley Council at its September meeting.   

PROPOSED BENDENINE WIND FARM BETWEEN BOWNING AND BINALONG

In response to correspondence from Wind Prospect that the developer plans to lodge its scoping report to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure in early 2026, Council agreed to send further letters of objection to proponents and appropriate approval departments. These letters also highlight that the proposed ‘scoping report lodgement time’ is highly inappropriate during the peak bush fire mitigation season and shearing time - disregarding community views and farming families’ ability to respond during this season. This also reflects council’s policy and Development Control Position that our community is at capacity and cannot accommodate further turbine projects. 

DROUGHT TASKFORCE  

Over the past few months, five mayors - representing Greater Hume, Wagga Wagga, Cootamundra-Gundagai, Snowy Valleys and Yass Valley Council - have been coordinating joint Mayoral Minutes through our Councils and working tirelessly to follow up on advocacy after our successful Drought Summit, which saw more than 474 registrations and attendance by State and Federal Ministers (and their delegates), producers and peak bodies. 

To ensure a better ‘in-drought’ response for the future, we continue to lobby for the establishment of a NSW Government-led, producer-informed Drought Taskforce to oversee drought response, policy coordination, and implementation. We are calling for the reinstatement of drought as a natural disaster to enable fair and timely access to emergency support across all jurisdictions. There needs to be an equitable provision across states for immediate financial relief, including freight and fodder subsidies, direct support for water and feed access, and more relevant interest-free emergency loans. 

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. If successful, this could achieve a $10,000 per kilometre legacy payment to our region – securing $510,000 annually towards community projects in perpetuity. 

WELCOMING NEW CITIZENS  

As Mayor, there is no greater honour than to conduct a citizenship ceremony, leading new citizens in their verbal pledges to our country and bestowing their citizenship certificates. Family, friends, councillors, and staff gathered for the occasion as 13 new citizens took the oaths together. Our new citizens were also presented with a native plant gift signifying growth, inclusion, and a shared future in the community. A shout out to little Heeya who helped me sing the National anthem out the front.  

FRIENDSHIP CITY PARTNERSHIP WITH WUZHOU, CHINA 

Council agreed to continue the friendship agreement with Wuzhou, China, established in 2017, particularly to promote trade relationships with our local wine and mushroom growing industries. I advised Council we add conditions that include there will be no financial cost to ratepayers. 

PARLIAMENT HOUSE VISIT

Mayors and executive staff from the Canberra Region Joint Organisation of Councils, (representing close to one million people including the ACT),  together with Regional Development Australia Southern NSW - ACT, visited Australian Parliament House to discuss local and regional matters with ministers, senators, and local members. 

Key advocacy points for Yass Valley included: 

• Protecting our region from an over-saturation of industrial-scale energy infrastructure. 
• Advocating for 1% of GST tax revenue to be returned to local government for vital road and community infrastructure maintenance and upgrades, and for fairer distribution to regional and rural communities. 
• Drought recognition and the need for a farmer-friendly response. 
• The Barton Highway duplication project. 
• Restoring maternity services and rural mental health support. 
• Addressing the impact and threat of renewables and BESS infrastructure to agricultural and wine regions' productivity. 
• Ensuring local government financial sustainability. 
• The need for a working Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act. 
• Restoring maternity services and fortifying rural health delivery.
• Restoring Green Army funding to support Council and First Nations environmental restoration projects.
• Ensuring access for councils to the geo-targeted National Emergency Messaging system under construction 

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  TRADE COMMISSIONERS VISIT 

  I had an informative discussion about current drought concerns and ag-tech opportunities within Yass Valley with Mr. William Lyall, an officer from the Israel Trade & Economic Commission. This visit was the start of his tour to talk with Yass Valley farmers and organisations, hosted by the Yass Valley Business Chamber. Topics covered stock tracking and care, water evaporation prevention technology, the suitability of the Yass Valley agricultural sector for pilot programs to enhance stock health, fly protection, and drought resilience, as well as our cool climate wine region. Australia and Israel share a bilateral economic export relationship worth $1.4 billion. 

  BUSH SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS 

  

  I travelled to Wagga Wagga to attend the Bush Summit that put rural and regional issues in the national spotlight. It was important to have the NSW Premier and Prime Minister attend and acknowledge the ‘Green Drought’. There was also a robust debate regarding the impact of renewables and transmission lines on regional areas - and our very own grazier, Ms Emma Webb, spoke with conviction about the lived experience of our local farmers fighting this emerging challenge. Thank you to the Binalong and Bowning farmers who also attended in support.

  Additionally, maternity services were acknowledged as the leading health service to restore in rural communities- both at the summit and in the lead up (thanks to The Daily Telegraphs coverage). This included a positive focus on Yass Valley and our projected growth as the idea location to restart such services, and build on the work the community has already achieved to support the return of pre and postnatal services.  

  LINTON VILLAGE VISIT 

  Councillors Cecil Burgess, Allan McGrath and Alvaro Charry joined me for a lively Q&A discussion with the residents and staff team at Linton Village, and a great cuppa and cake. Topics with our senior citizens included: 

  • Updates and ideas for a heated pool in Yass and existing pool upgrades. 
    
  • An electric mobility scooter route safety audit to create safer footpath-to-road transitions. 
  • The Railtrail opportunity to link residents into town. 
  • Traffic issues around the village entrances. 
  • The timeline for the fully funded Yass water treatment upgrade. 
  • HumeLink worker accommodation site activity. 
  • The Commercial Hotel site. 
  • Disability parking in the CBD. 
  • The new library opening this year. 

  Councillor Allan McGrath also delighted us all with an original poem.  

  FOR THE LOVE OF BOOKS & YASS LIBRARY  

  Book Week was celebrated at Yass Valley Library, our local schools and preschools, with many children and teachers participating in a colourful Book Parade. Thank you to the participating businesses in the Book Hunt. 

  Our new Library is looking amazing with final touches coming together and books going on shelves - and even the bean bags for our dedicated youth space are ready! 

  Please spread the word about our Bookmark Design to celebrate the opening – entries closes 01 November.  

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  STAFF UPDATES & PROJECT MILESTONES 

  PERMANENT DIRECTOR APPOINTMENTS

  Under CEO Gayleen Burley’s leadership, Council is strengthening its executive team - with the recent permanent appointment of Ms Peta Gardiner as Director of Community & Corporate, and soon to be publicly announced Director of Planning & Environmental Services. Both Directors bring a wealth of experience and skills to their roles that will help establish themselves as dynamic change-makers within a Council committed to its financial sustainability roadmap, meaningful communication, engagement with residents, and review of our Settlement Strategy. 

  FRESH START PROGRAM 

  Council has now received provisional approval for funding for two new apprentices (Mechanic and Horticulture) under the Fresh Start Program. The Fresh Start Program apprentice positions awarded in round 3 can start employment from 1 January 2026. 

  BINALONG RESERVOIR PUMP STATION UPGRADES 

  

   

  The Binalong Reservoir Pump Station site is the main water supply asset in Binalong. A series of upgrades have been carried out to enhance monitoring and control of the reservoir and pump station. The upgrades include: 

  • Commissioning a new switch board and telemetry system
  • Improvements to the booster chlorination system. 
  • Installing solar panels as part of the upgrade to reduce power bills and environmental footprint of the site operations.  

  HAVE YOUR SAY 

  Visit our website to engage with us on the Murrumbateman Recreation Grounds Strategy, Cemeteries & Governance polices – all now on public exhibition.

  MONDAYS WITH THE MAYOR 

  Make sure to book in advance for valuable face-to-face time whether in person or via TEAMS to share with me your good idea, or identify a way Council can assist make our community an even better place to live. Visit the events tab on Council’s webpage to book online. (new Oct/Nov date coming soon)

  LOOKING AHEAD  

  Spring is a glorious time to be in Yass Valley. Here are some exciting events coming up. 

  • Murrumbateman Field Days - 18 & 19 October  
  • Yuma Coffee Catch - Ngunnawal Elders & traditional knowledge holders meeting with Mayor, CEO & Council staff at the Yass Community Centre - 22 October from 10:30am 
  • “Flight of the Drakkonbarq’ Book Launch – 25 October.  Author Sarah Giddy returns to her hometown ‘In Conversation with Mayor Jones’ at Yass Library from 10:45am 
  • Music in the Meadows - 25 October. Highclere hosts Canberra Symphony Orchestra  
  • Christmas on Comur Street - 11 December. Parade float registrations now open  
  • Pool season tickets - are now on sale. Pools open 03 Nov.  

  Mayor Jasmin Jones  

  Yass Valley Council