New future direction decided for Crago Mill Precinct

Published on 26 September 2025

Yass Valley Council has decided on a new direction for the Crago Mill Precinct following a review of the Stage 2 development.

To respond to the financial pressures outlined in the updated 10 year long term financial plan, and in line with commitments made in the Integrated Planning and Reporting documents, Council commissioned an external review of Stage 2 of the Crago Mill Precinct Project. Stage 1, which includes a new library, administration building and public carpark, is due for completion in late 2025.

At the 25th September 2025 Council meeting, Council resolved to discontinue the full completion of Stage 2 of the Crago Mill Precinct Project in an effort to improve the future financial position of the Council.

Council resolved to:

• To discontinue the full completion of Stage 2 of the Crago Mill Precinct Project as currently endorsed - primarily not to proceed with redevelopment of the historic Crago Mill building and building new premises, due to the impact on the Council’s current financial position.
• To demolish the existing administration building (due to the cost of the repairs that would be required to the building to meet current occupation standards).
• To design and construct the landscaping of the open space as shown on the site plan in ways that enhance environmental and social outcomes. This includes allocation of up to $500,000 to undertake landscape treatments including: the construction of paths, dark sky compliant lighting, seating, fencing and planting schemes which reduce the reliance on irrigation (post establishment), fertiliser, enhance biodiversity and promote flora suitable to Yass’s climate and, where possible, exhibit flora of the region.
• To allocate up to $50,000 to construct an appropriate fence around the site for the historic Crago Mill building. This may involve environmental and heritage considerations.
• That the structural assessment and design work related to the historic Crago Mill building progresses, allocating $400,000 for this work.
• That a report progresses to Council if grant/beneficiary funding sources to undertake further work to the historic Crago Mill building become available.
• Council staff to investigate the feasibility of subdividing the proposed land area identified for the new commercial development, to potentially sell this site.
• Allocate minimum of 2 years of maintenance funding for the landscaping works.

It has been estimated that not proceeding with the construction of the commercial building and refurbishment of the historic Crago Mill building will save $15 million over 10 years.

In summary, the following key elements were resolved to proceed:

• Historic Crago Mill Building - It was decided that critical structural assessment and design work would go ahead, as this will ensure that the project is shovel ready pending successful grant/beneficiary funding for the future restoration of the building.

• Demolition of the existing administration building and landscaping of the open space - in a way that enhances environmental and social outcomes, along with enhancement of biodiversity and promotion of flora of the region. This will offer valuable environmental, social, and recreational benefits, and an improved offering to public for leisure and community activities and creating aesthetic appeal that contributes to a higher quality of life for residents. To complete the area landscaping Council have allocated necessary funds, incorporating paths, dark sky compliant lighting, seating, fencing and a yarning circle.

Jasmin Jones, Mayor of Yass Valley Council, said:

‘It is our responsibility as Council to have a hard look at the realities of continuing with the Stage 2 project - and the review gave us an understanding of the risks to proceed taking into account the updated long term financial plan adopted in June 2025’.

‘I also want to reiterate that this decision is not an abandonment of Council’s commitment to restore the historic Crago Mill building. It is a sharpening of our focus and a chance to obtain clarity about what resources are required to complete the restoration works and, separately, what costs are associated with enhancement works to the historic Crago Mill building.’

What is of primary importance to Council going forward is that we ensure our financial sustainability and continue serving our Yass Valley community and prioritise our rate payers’.

The decision to build the Crago Mill Precinct was made in response to:

• Population growth and community expectation across the Yass Valley requiring enhanced library and community facilities.
• The current council chambers and administration building reaching the end of their useful lives and refurbishment of the current site to modern day standards being cost-prohibitive.

Mayor Jones continued:

‘Look what we have achieved so far – the project is on budget and scheduled to open the new Library in late 2025 with diverse community meeting spaces, creative zones and young people spaces. Our staff are looking forward to taking up residence in the new fit-for-purpose administration building, which will also serve as an Emergency Operations Centre during emergency events. I am looking forward to seeing the final completion of Stage 1 - which will include open space and landscaping that will enhance and activate our town centre.’