Have your Say! Council’s IP&R documents up for community consultation
Published on 09 May 2025
At the Extraordinary Meeting held on Thursday, 8 May, Council resolved to endorse the 2025 Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) documents for public exhibition. These documents are now available for public consultation for a period of 28 days.
These documents outline Council’s activities, projects, and initiatives in the short and long term. They include details about budgeting, asset and workforce management, finance, and service delivery.
Mayor of Yass Valley, Jasmin Jones, said: "I am very proud of the entire Council team for putting together this comprehensive suite of documents. They will guide how we deliver services to our community and provide us with a clear roadmap to financial sustainability. We are committed to serving Yass Valley’s growing population, which is projected to reach 27,000 by 2036. Comprehensive planning and reporting documents are essential to translate our community’s aspirations into actions, and to show how Council will deliver core services whilst managing our budget responsibly."
Gayleen Burley, Chief Executive of Yass Valley Council, said: "These documents represent a step forward for Yass Valley Council - they include more detail and transparency than ever before. We are encouraging all community members to provide feedback and suggestions, both positive and critical, to ensure the plans reflect the needs and expectations of our residents over the next four years. There's a lot to digest, and Council will be hosting many opportunities for engagement, including five roadshows across the Yass Valley next month, to explain what these documents mean and how they impact local communities.
Road to Financial Sustainability
The documents include a comprehensive review of the 2025–26 Budget and the Long-Term Financial Plan.
With regards to rate increases, this year’s budget recommends a 4.1% rate rise, in line with the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).
The documents also set out how Council will develop and implement a clear roadmap to financial sustainability to safeguard the Yass Valley for future generations. The Long-Term Financial Plan forecast indicates that without significant intervention - such as increasing revenue or reducing operating costs - Council will continue to operate at a deficit.
The development of Council’s Financial Sustainability Roadmap will outline the key actions we will be taking, including service reviews, boosting own-source revenue, improving financial governance, and upgrading asset and procurement systems. It will also involve a review of Council’s property portfolio to maximise returns, preparation of a report on the potential impact of a Special Rate Variation (including community feedback), and continued advocacy to State and Federal Governments for increased grant funding to reduce the financial burden on residents."
Sporting User Groups – Fees and Charges Review
As part of the annual review of Council’s fees and charges, the fees applied to sporting user groups has undergone a thorough assessment. This review, which has been long overdue, aims to address sustainability, fairness, and equity. It has been specifically included in this public consultation period to give sporting groups the opportunity to review the proposed changes and provide feedback.
Historically, Yass Valley’s fees for sporting facilities have been lower than those in the ACT and surrounding NSW regions. This review creates an opportunity for a broad discussion around service levels, usage, methodology and costs with the community sporting groups - ensuring Yass Valley can continue to provide high-quality sports facilities within available budgets and resources. Feedback from all sporting groups is encouraged.
Public Consultation Process
We want to hear from you! Community feedback is important and will ensure Council is delivering the services and infrastructure you want and need.
We are planning a full program of community consultation, and we will also consider community feedback from:
- Our online submission form
- Mondays with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor (next one Monday, 26th May)
- Engagement with your local Progress/Community Associations
- One of our village meetings and roadshows where we present the strategic plans (dates to follow) - all welcome
- Join one of our community advisory committees (details to follow).
To read the documents and submit your feedback, visit our IP&R public consultation webpage. You’ll find all the documents available for download, along with an online form to share your comments.
You can submit your comments until 5pm on Friday, 6 June 2025.
Minutes of the Extraordinary Council Meeting are available on our Agendas and Minutes webpage.