News

Playgrounds are reopen for community use. We remind you that you must follow the regulations and advice from the NSW Government including the need to maintain physical distancing and good hygiene practices. The NSW Government also advises that you should wash your hands before and after using outdoor equipment. 

Stage 3 of our Library reopening has commenced.

The Library is now open Monday to Friday - 10am - 3pm. The following restrictions apply:

• No groups of meetings permitted.
• Limit visits to 30 minutes.
• Signing in is encouraged upon entry
• Social distancing and personal hygiene is a must at all times.
• There is limited access to public computers and bookings are essential.
• Limited seating and tables available for use.
• Newspapers are still not available for hygiene reasons

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Yass Valley Library will not be able to offer face-to-face Tax Help sessions this year.

The Australian Taxation Office is offering alternate ways in which you can access Tax Help including online and over the phone. More information can be found HERE.

For those who do not have access the internet or a computer, you will be able to book a session on our Public Computers when they become available towards the end of July.

Please note: Library staff will not be able to assist you with your lodgement or session with the ATO due to social distancing measures.

Approval has been given for the Yass Caravan Park to open in accordance with the Public Health Order Number 13, issued on 29 May 2020. The COVID-19 Plan has been reviewed and approved. Bookings are now being accepted.

CLOSED to surrenders. Ranger services continue.

Customer Service at the Council Administration Building reopened on Monday, 1 June 2020.

The following measures will be in place to ensure the safety of our community members and Council staff:

• Installation of perspex screens.
• EFTPOS is the preferred method of payment.
• Hand sanitising stations at the entrance to the building. Please use these upon entering and leaving the premises.
• Slightly reduced face-to-face hours from 9am to 4.30pm to allow for increased daily cleaning (still contactable via phone and email from 9am - 5pm).

Council managed Community Halls and centres are now available for hire and can occupy up to 20 people, or one person per 4 square metres for the entire building (not each room/area).

This includes the following:

• Yass Memorial Hall (Main Hall & Kitchen annex only)
• Murrumbateman Recreation Grounds Community Hall
• Yass Community Centre
• Sutton Hall

To hire any of the above halls or centres, a COVID-19 plan must be prepared and presented to Customer Service via email Council@yass.nsw.gov.au or in person at Council’s Administration Building, 209 Comur Street Yass, before booking. A template for a COVID-19 Plan can be found here 

Reopen for community use from Friday, 15 May. Maximum ten people at a time.

From 12:01am Friday, 24 July 2020 the following rules will be in force as NSW enters a state of ‘COVID normal’. 

Funerals and places of worship will be limited to 100 people, subject to the one person per four square metre rule and a COVID-Safe business registration.

RV and Camping Ground at Joe O'Connor Park is open to self contained RVS or caravans only. Amenities are not available. Ground is open but social distancing rules apply. 

Reopen to the community from Friday, 15 May. 

Yass and Binalong Pools both CLOSED to the public as it is the end of our regular swimming season.

Reopen from Monday, 1 June 2020.

The following measures will be in place: 

• Installation of perspex screens.
• Only EFTPOS accepted.
• Hand sanistising stations at the entrance - please use upon entering.
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9.30am to 4.30pm; Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm.

Public can watch the live streaming on YouTube rather than attend. The Council Chambers only has a capacity for 14 people and this cannot be exceeded under current health guidelines. Alternate dial in arrangements can be organised for those residents that are registered to address Councillors in the Open Forum.

Operating as usual.

Operating as normal.

Existing collection schedule in place.

Return chute still operating for returns.

Not operating until further notice.

• Council is carrying out inspection for Final Occupation Certificates and Building Information Certificate inspections. We are requesting that the building be empty at the time of the inspection.
• All other inspections will be carried out on the provision that people are either not present or keep the required 2 metre social distancing.
• No face-to-face planning enquiries or meetings.

Routine health inspections have been cancelled. High risk/urgent inspections can be conducted on an as needs basis. On-site Sewer Management inspections have been deferred unless very high risk (major spillage/etc). Advisory/support role continues for businesses.

Open but NO CASH PAYMENTS. EFTPOS facilities are now available at all Transfer Stations.

Debtor accounts will be organised if payments cannot be made by card. Additionally:

• People are asked to remain in their cars until directed otherwise by staff.
• EFTPOS machine will be made accessible while you remain in your vehicle.
• Social distancing guidelines should be exercised at all times.

Waste Transfer Station trading hours can be found here

The NSW Government has made the decision to postpone the September 2020 local government elections in the face of the COVID-19 crisis until September 2021. Current Councillors will continue to hold their civic offices until the rescheduled local government elections are held.

To lodge a Development Application or submit documentation, please email Council@yass.nsw.gov.au, mail, or use the mail slot in the front door of the Customer Service building. NO FACE TO FACE INTERACTIONS.

Outdoor gyms are reopen for community use. We remind you that you must follow the regulations and advice from the NSW Government including the need to maintain physical distancing and good hygiene practices. The NSW Government also advises that you should wash your hands before and after using outdoor equipment. 

A new Public Order was signed on 30 June 2020 removing the limit of 20 people per field for on sporting grounds in NSW.

The following now applies:

Community sporting activities

• Where the activities involve more than 20 participants, the organiser must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan.
• Participants include players, people who are training, officials and spectators.
• The maximum number of participants at a community sporting activity must not exceed 500 partipants.
• Social distancing and good personal hygiene measures still apply.

See HERE for more information about what you can and can't do under the rules.