Controls, Policies and Strategies

The Southeast and Tablelands Regional Plan is the NSW Department of Planning & Environment’s 20-year vision for the region to build sustainable communities by balancing opportunities for new homes and jobs, with the protection of the region’s natural environment. The Plan covers the Local Government areas of Yass Valley, Hilltops, Upper Lachlan, Goulburn Mulwaree, Wingecarribee, Eurobodalla, Bega Valley, Snowy Monaro and Queanbeyan - Palerang. 

Part of Council’s consideration of two Planning Proposals to re-zone land adjoining the north and south of Gundaroo village (now approved), was the requirement for the preparation of a Gundaroo Masterplan(PDF, 2MB) . Council also resolved to prepare a Sutton Masterplan(PDF, 1MB)  to provide greater certainty and structure given the increasing development pressure on the village and surrounds. Both Masterplans were adopted in 2017. 

Flood controls applicable to Yass, Murrumbateman, Gundaroo, Sutton, Bowning, Binalong and Bookham (July 2021)(PDF, 543KB)

Gundaroo Floodplain Risk Management Plans(PDF, 110MB)

Note 2016 Flood Mapping for Gundaroo has been superseded. Current Flood Planning and Classification Maps for Gundaroo - refer to Annexure E(PDF, 7MB) in 2020 Addendum Report.

Sutton Floodplain Risk Management Plans(PDF, 56MB)

Note 2016 Flood Mapping for Sutton has been superseded. Current Flood Planning and Classification Maps for Sutton - refer to Annexure F(PDF, 7MB)  in 2020 Addendum Report.

Yass Floodplain Risk Management Report(PDF, 7MB)  
Yass Floodplain Risk Management Figures(PDF, 62MB)

Murrumbateman, Bowning, Bookham and Binalong Flood Study - Volume 1(PDF, 6MB)
Murrumbateman, Bowning, Bookham and Binalong Flood Study - Volume 2(PDF, 93MB)
Murrumbateman, Bowning, Bookham and Binalong Flood Study - Volume 3(PDF, 53MB)
Murrumbateman, Bowning, Bookham and Binalong Flood Study Figures(PDF, 24MB)

The Local Strategic Planning Statement provides a link between the Yass Valley LEP 2013 and the South East and Tablelands Regional Plan 2036. It was adopted by Council in 2020.

The Yass Valley Settlement Strategy 2036 was adopted by Council in 2017 and provides a clear direction for long term growth and development within the Local Government Area. Its recommendations formed the basis of the Local Strategic Planning Statement.

Development Contribution Plans are developed by Council under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 to help cover the costs of local infrastructure (open space, traffic management etc) needed to support new homes and businesses. Council also levies contributions in relation to Water and Sewer works and facilities under the Local Government Act 1993.

Council has adopted the Yass Valley Development Contributions Plan 2018(PDF, 3MB)  at its meeting of 27 March 2019 which will apply across the Yass Valley. 

Yass Valley Heavy Haulage Development Contributions Plan 2021(PDF, 3MB)
Appendix A Contribution Rate Chart(PDF, 440KB)
Notice for website - repeal and replace(PDF, 493KB)

• Community Engagement Strategy
• Yass Valley Council - Development Control Plan - Fairley Commercial Centre, Murrumbateman(PDF, 904KB)
• 2024 Development Control Plan(PDF, 9MB)

• Development Servicing Plan - Sewerage(PDF, 1MB)

• Development Servicing Plan - Water(PDF, 1MB)

Development standards are contained in State Environmental Planning Policies (SEPPs) or Local Environmental Plans.

The Yass Valley Local Environmental Plan 2013 and Yass Valley Local Environmental Plan (Parkwood) 2020 set out development standards for each zone in the Yass Valley Local Government Area.

Council is allowed some flexibility when applying planning controls to certain developments pursuant to Clause 4.6 of Yass Valley Local Environmental Plan 2013 and Yass Valley Local Environmental Plan (Parkwood) 2020. Council is required to maintain a register of occurrences in which development applications have been determined that resulted in a variation to a development standard and is also required to submit a quarterly report to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. It is important to note that these developments whilst they may not meet certain development standards still achieve strict planning objectives set by the local environmental plans.

Variations are only considered in particular circumstances where strict compliance would be unreasonable or unnecessary and there are sufficient environmental planning grounds to justify contravening the development standard. The development must be within the public interest and remain consistent with the objectives of the particular standard and the zone.

Where an application proposes a variation to a standard, the application must be supported by a written and detailed document meeting the requirements of Clause 4.6 of the relevant local environmental plan.

Monitoring of variations to development standards is important in that it enables the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and Council to determine whether development standards are appropriate, or whether changes are required to the development standards.

More Information
For more information about variations to development standards, download the NSW Varying Development Standards Guidelines or contact Council on Council@yass.nsw.gov.au
The register of variations to development standards is available for public view below:

Variations Data report - 2020(PDF, 84KB)
Variations Data report - First quarter 2021(PDF, 202KB)
Variations Data report - Second quarter 2021(PDF, 195KB)
Variations Data report - Third quarter 2021(PDF, 374KB)
Variations Data report - Fourth quarter 2021(PDF, 113KB)
Variations Data report - First quarter 2022(PDF, 52KB)
Variations Data report - Third quarter 2023(PDF, 43KB)

Yass Valley Local Environmental Plan 2013

The Yass Valley LEP 2013 incorporated the recommendations of the following studies:

• Built Form Study(PDF, 3MB)
• Industrial Lands Study(PDF, 11MB)
• Town and Villages Study(PDF, 11MB)
• Yass Commercial Precinct Study(PDF, 7MB)

Repealed Local Environmental Plans

• Gunning Local Environmental Plan 1997
• Yarrowlumla Local Environmental Plan 2002
• Yass Local Environmental Plan 1987