The community has less than a month to give feedback on Council’s draft 2021-22 budget and operational plan, with comments taken until 5pm on Friday, 28 May 2021.
Hard copies of the Draft Plan are available by calling Council on 6226 1477 or emailing Council@yass.nsw.gov.au
The plan identifies Council’s incoming funds for the year from continuing operations as just over 40 million dollars while total expenses are more than 31 million dollars, leaving Council with a net operating result for the year of 8.4 million before grants.
The draft budget councillors resolved to put on exhibition results in a negligible $32,000 surplus to hand over to the next Council in September.
Just some of the budgeted projects include big-ticket items such as bridge and road works through to town lighting, solar panel installation, minor pool equipment replacement, Yass main street improvement planning and village master planning with the latter two items identified as necessary to attract grants from other levels of government.
Council states the draft plan explains which projects are occurring in your town or village over the next 12 months and why one project may take priority over another.
‘It’s important for residents to understand and play a part in Council’s Draft Operational Plan, which includes our activities, budget, fees and charges for each financial year.
Staff and Councillors have been busy preparing our program and budget for 2021/22, which we will be presenting to the public via our new online format and seeking feedback on during May.
Traditionally, Council has hit the road and held a series of public meetings in each of the towns and villages of the Local Government Area to present the proposed program and budget to the community. Last year, broad COVID-19 restrictions meant we had to reinvent the wheel and do things differently.
The health of our community continues to remain the number one priority and, to this end, Council, in consultation with local Progress Associations and community groups, has decided to again present the 2021/22 Operational Plan through our safe and interactive website.’
“Following the success of last year’s online delivery, which attracted a high level of public engagement, we again invite your feedback and suggestions on these important documents that are ultimately shaped by you – the community,” said Yass Valley Mayor Rowena Abbey.
“Your input is more important than ever as we hope to progress on some major local infrastructure projects that will have long-lasting impacts for future generations in the Yass Valley.”
Draft Operational Plan
The individual projects and activities that will be undertaken in 2021/22 are based on the commitments made in the Delivery Program.
The Operational Plan allocates responsibility for each project or activity to a program area of Council. This is then filtered into program area plans, project plans and individual work plans. It is supported by Council’s 2021/22 Budget, which outlines the capital works program and key infrastructure projects Council will carry out in the same financial year.
“The focus on key infrastructure upgrades will continue in 2021/22, including the opening of the Yass to Murrumbateman Pipeline; the preparation of documents required for the new Civic Precinct project to proceed to the point where it is ‘shovel ready’; the acceleration of early works to improve water quality in Yass and the ongoing lobbying of Governments for the funding to build a new Water Treatment Plant for the town,” said Cr Abbey.
“In addition to this, we will continue to work hard to upgrade our amenities, parks and sporting grounds, strengthen our renewed focus on the annual re-sheeting program for our unsealed road network and commit to two important roadside weed spraying programs.”
“Last year, Council received considerable grant funding to get the local economy moving as part of the COVID-19 recovery. Much of that grant funding will flow over to this year’s budget, and Council is committed to delivering the projects using this money.”
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Community Consultation
The Draft Operational Plan is now on Public Exhibition and available to view on Council’s website.
In lieu of Community Roadshows, Council has also set up a separate and interactive website designated to the presentation of the Draft Operational Plan.
Follow this link to access (note: if you’re opening the link on a desktop computer, please use Google Chrome for best results).
You can have your say by visiting the council’s website and completing an online form, by posting your submission to PO Box 6 YASS NSW 2582 or by emailing Council@yass.nsw.gov.au
The community has until 5pm on Friday, 28 May 2021 to provide their written feedback on the Draft 2021/22 Operational Plan.
