Mayoral Message - December 2020

I was delighted to welcome the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to Yass on Thursday, 10 December. We enjoyed lunch with local Member, Wendy Tuckerman at Rose’s Café and then met some of our small business owners, chatting to them about how they are getting back on their feet post COVID-19 restrictions. The Premier even did a spot of Christmas shopping in Yass and I encourage all locals to do the same. The streets are buzzing with day trippers and locals alike and it is heartening to see. Shop local this Christmas and support the small business owners who support us!

On this note, and to celebrate the end of what has been a challenging year for all of us, a Council staff member suggested joining forces with the Yass Business Chamber and local emergency services to hold a Christmas parade in conjunction with Yass’s late night Christmas shopping event on Thursday night. Bring the kids down to Comur Street and see some of Council’s vehicles parade down the street from 6pm. There will also be a special appearance from Santa in a special custom made vehicle!

I raised the important issue of a new water treatment plant for Yass with the NSW Premier and local Member while they were both in Yass last week. They acknowledged the need for improved water supply and MP, Wendy Tuckerman said she was committed to honouring her election funding commitment. The Water Treatment Plant will be tabled at Council’s December meeting this week for an update. Council is trying to expedite the process by dividing it into stages so we can improve the colour and quality of the water first and foremost. We have agreed to try and move this part of the project along as soon as possible. Stage 2 is concerned with trying to find the most cost effective way to remove the hardness of the water and this is still being discussed by the experts. Council understands residents’ frustrations about the water quality – and we share those concerns. We will keep working towards solutions next year.

Well, what a year it has been. We rang in 2020 through a thick haze of smoke, surrounded by a circle of devastating and deadly bushfires in our state. No sooner had we recovered from that shock, and our world was hit by the COVID-19 health pandemic that brought with it massive shut downs and government restrictions in an effort to keep the most vulnerable in our society safe. The drought was finally broken but with the welcome rain, came flooding and extensive damage to our infrastructure and roads in the Yass Valley. The worst of times always brings out the best in people, however, and I was proud and humbled to see the local community come together to support one another through these challenging times. There is still a journey ahead of us as we work together to recover and regrow. On behalf of all councillors and council staff, I wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas and, above all, a happy, safe and healthy 2021.

15 December 2020

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