MAYORAL MESSAGE
Council Street Parade
There was a huge turnout for last Thursday’s Christmas parade in conjunction with the Yass Valley Business Chamber’s Late Night Shopping Event. A big thank you to everyone who helped make it possible, including the Business Chamber, Yass Valley Spin Foundation, Lions Club, Rotary, council staff and our local emergency services. A true display of community spirit after a challenging year. Congratulations to all involved!
Visit from NSW Premier
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!
Water Treatment Plant
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.
Merry Christmas
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 shutdowns 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.
