March Council Meeting - Round Up

Published on 29 March 2025

This month’s council meeting included many important topics – from the Binalong intersection, COVID vaccine-injured and Sutton Causeway footbridge to Yass water treatment plant, Crago Mill and financial sustainability. Here’s a quick run down of what you need to know:

March Council Meeting Round-Up

The meeting started with an Open Forum, where members of the public put forward their views on local matters. Community members and developers spoke for and against the need for a new path through The Fields in Murrumbateman, discussed the details of the proposed pedestrian bridge across McLaughlins Creek Causeway in Sutton, and raised concerns about the proposed Transport for NSW intersection changes in Binalong. Council also heard impassioned pleas for advocacy support from members of the community who have been COVID vaccine-injured.

Some of the key items discussed were:

Binalong Intersection Safety Improvements

Council took on board the community’s disagreement with the TfNSW proposal to close Richmond Street and agreed to seek a meeting with the Minister for Roads and Minister for Regional Transport, the Hon. Jenny Aitchison, to address concerns and explore alternative traffic safety measures.

Advocacy for COVID Vaccine-Injured Residents

After hearing from community members who declared they were COVID vaccine-injured, and felt their concerns were not being heard at the state and federal levels, Council agreed to advocate on behalf of affected Yass Valley residents, agreeing to write to local federal and state representatives to help facilitate a meeting.

Trails and Bridges – Murrumbateman and Sutton

Council reaffirmed its commitment to providing adequate paths and connectivity in new developments. It was agreed that developers should provide a pedestrian and cyclist footbridge over McLaughlins Creek at Sutton Causeway to link the new development on Sutton Road to the village, and continue to provide a pedestrian link path through The Fields, Murrumbateman, to Isabel Drive.

Council Reports

Yass Water Treatment Plant Upgrade

The tender process is underway for the upgrade works. Councillors were pleased to hear that the first works contract is about to be signed, allowing for the preparation of tender documents for the water treatment plant upgrade. Fieldwork is ongoing to assess the requirements for the water reticulation improvement project tender process.

Workplace Culture Review

Council has engaged an independent organisation to conduct the review, with feedback expected in June 2025.

Finances

Council presented its Investment and Borrowing Report and monthly Financial Report. As part of ongoing efforts to refine and improve accounting procedures, Council agreed to review some internally restricted funds for relevance and function. For example, assessing whether budgeted electricity costs should be adjusted in light of new energy-saving measures at Crago Mill. Council also agreed to seek a meeting with TCorp to ascertain if re-financing of the Crago Mill development is a possibility.

Hume Link Accommodation

An update was given on the proposed location of workers’ accommodation, which is planned for the Yass Industrial Park opposite the Yass Service Centre.

Crago Mill

Council accepted the Crago Mill progress report, which included details about its role as a key operational base for the Yass Valley Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). The steel for the library is up, and work is underway on the administration building, which is taking shape and on track for occupation in August 2025.

More Information

There were many more items discussed, including procedural matters, development applications, and other routine business. Full meeting minutes are now available online. You can also listen to the Council Meeting recording via our live link.