October Council meeting summary

RECRUITMENT OF GENERAL MANAGER  Chris Berry was appointed as General Manager at the October meeting following a nationwide recruitment search in which 31 applications were received. Chris commenced full-time employment at Yass Valley Council in 2014 as Director of Planning and has undertaken the role of Acting General Manager following the resignation in July of previous General Manager, Sharon Hutch.

DRAFT LOCAL STRATEGIC PLANNING STATEMENT  The draft Local Strategic Planning Statement sets out the 20 year vision for land use within Yass Valley, outlining how growth and change will be managed in the future. The Statement builds on the adopted Yass Valley Settlement Strategy. The draft Local Strategic Planning Statement will be going on Public Exhibition. 

PARKWOOD PLANNING PROPOSAL  The Parkwood land rezoning has been considered and approved at the October Council meeting.  The total area of the proposed Parkwood development is approximately 600 hectares, including 213 hectares being set aside within a Conservation Corridor adjacent to the Murrumbidgee River and Ginninderra Creek, downstream from the Ginninderra Falls. As a result of the Planning Proposal, the land will be rezoned from RU1 Primary Production and E3 Environmental Management to R1 General Residential, E2 Environmental Conservation and E3 Environmental Management. The Parkwood rezoning will now be forwarded to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry & Environment for review and finalisation.  

COPPABELLA WIND FARM COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT FUND In December 2018 the Independent Planning Commission issued a modified Development Consent for the Coppabella Wind Farm.  A condition of this approval is for the developer to enter into a Voluntary Planning Agreement with Council for the establishment of a Community Enhancement Fund. The draft Voluntary Planning Agreement for the community enhancement scheme associated with the Coppabella Wind Farm is now on public exhibition and can be viewed here. 

DRAFT LOCAL STRATEGIC WEEDS PLAN  Twelve submissions were received on the Draft Local Strategic Weeds Plan. Council revised the plan in light of the issues raised and has now adopted the plan.

ROAD RESERVE WEED SPRAYING Council considered a report outlining the ongoing costs associated with the provision of road reserve priority weed spraying within active road corridors across the local government area.  The inclusion of funding for road reserve priority weed spraying be considered as part of its 2020/21 budget considerations.

INTEGRATED WATER CYCLE MANAGEMENT (IWCM) STRATEGY Council has agreed to work with the Public Works Advisory to prepare an Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy for Yass Valley Council. The Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy (IWCM) is a 30-year strategy and financial plan for the provision of appropriate, affordable, cost-effective and sustainable urban water services to meet community needs and protect public health and the environment.  Council is eligible to receive funding from the Safe and Secure Water Program (SSWP) towards preparing this document. 

COMMUNITY SERVICE REVIEW  When Council started Home Living Support Services, it was one of very few providers in the Yass Valley area. Over time many organisations have now become established that not only provide the services that Council provide but also offer more programs and support for those who need it across the LGA. Organisations with a single focus on community services are more efficient and effective in service delivery than Council with its diverse portfolio of services and inability to concentrate its efforts. In addition the overheads of these organisations are leaner as they are not burdened by the same level of governance that is unique to Local Councils.  From a review of the services Council has determined to relinquish its involvement in community services by 31 March 2020.  Negotiations now commence with alternate service providers for the transfer of Council services. 

More information on the above can be found in Council's full meeting agenda.

24 October 2019

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