Mayoral Message - September 2020

I welcomed Minister for Tourism and Jobs, Stuart Ayres and Goulburn MP, Wendy Tuckerman to the Yass Valley on Wednesday, 3 September to discuss what the NSW Government can do to support regional jobs and tourism. We met with representatives from the Yass Valley Business Chamber and some of our finest food and wine small business owners over lunch at the Clubhouse Hotel. Stuart and Wendy then went to Binalong to visit The Old Produce Store and on to Murrumbateman to Shaw Wines and Moppity Vineyards.

2020 has been a tough year with a number of challenges but the Yass Valley LGA remains in a good position as one of the fastest growing inland regions in the state. We may be small but we are mighty. Our businesses have been holding on through bushfires, the COVID-19 pandemic and flooding. Business owners are working hard to pivot and offer visitors a COVID safe place to eat, drink and stay. There are a lot of positive stories coming out of our region and I look forward to continuing to work with the NSW Government and Destination NSW to help get tourism back on its feet when it is deemed safe to do so.

Council has had some positive conversations with WaterNSW about our urgent need for an upgraded water treatment plant. The recent flooding event once again demonstrated how our current plant is not up to handling the heavy downpours. The key challenge at the existing Water Treatment Plant is a high sediment load. It is not designed to effectively address these challenges and a new plant will significantly reduce the potential for any future problems. Council is waiting on approval from State Water Authority on our recommended option and then we will be working on a plan to fund the additional cost over the $11 million that has been already committed by the State Government.

In February, Council endorsed a ‘wish list’ of major projects for the LGA. On this list, the Yass Swimming Pool redevelopment, a civic precinct (including a new library), and a new community hall for Murrumbateman were identified as priorities, in addition to several major projects that have already commenced such as the Yass Water supply pipeline and plans for a new Water Treatment Plant, as mentioned above. Money has been allocated in the 2020/21 budget for the preparation of a ‘shovel ready’ plan for a new Civic Precinct for the community, should any funding opportunities arise.

We have held several Council workshops and concluded that a new Yass Valley Council Civic Precinct should include, but not be limited to, the following elements: new library; community meeting rooms and exhibition spaces; eCommerce small business centre/work hub; office accommodation; short term accommodation for Council contractors; long term government tenants; retention on Crago’s Mill and an open area/plaza.

We have also looked at a number of sites and determined the current site at 209 Comur Street is the most ideal option in terms of central location and available land.

What Council really needs, now, is for the community to tell us what it thinks. What do you want to see in your civic precinct? Do you agree with the preferred location? Have you seen some great civic buildings in other towns? If so, please let us know. Go to Council’s website and make a submission in writing: HERE 

If we have an opportunity to do this, we want to do it right.

8 September 2020

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