Yass Valley Council has decided on a new direction for the Crago Mill Precinct following a review of the Stage 2 development. The development has brought the ire of the community and those at Council with the second phase now being walked back due to lack of funds.
Council said it was to respond to the financial pressures outlined in the updated 10 year long term financial plan. They also said it was in line with commitments made in the Integrated Planning and Reporting documents.
Council commissioned an external review of Stage 2 of the Crago Mill Precinct Project. Stage 1, which includes a new library, administration building and public carpark, is due for completion in late 2025.
At the 25th September 2025 Council meeting, Council resolved to discontinue the full completion of Stage 2 of the Crago Mill Precinct Project in an effort to improve the future financial position of the Council, something that some candidates said should have happened before the Council elections held in September.
Council resolved to discontinue the full completion of Stage 2 of the Crago Mill Precinct Project as was previously endorsed – primarily not to proceed with redevelopment of the historic Crago Mill building and building new premises, due to the impact on the Council’s current financial position.
It was voted on to demolish the existing administration building (due to the cost of the repairs that would be required to the building to meet current occupation standards.
They also resolved to design and construct the landscaping of the open space as shown on the site plan in ways that enhance environmental and social outcomes. This includes allocation of up to $500,000 to undertake landscape treatments including: the construction of paths, dark sky compliant lighting, seating, fencing and planting schemes which reduce the reliance on irrigation (post establishment), fertiliser, enhance biodiversity and promote flora suitable to Yass’s climate and, where possible, exhibit flora of the region.
They also voted to allocate up to $50,000 to construct an appropriate fence around the site for the historic Crago Mill building. This may involve environmental and heritage considerations, and it was resolved that the structural assessment and design work related to the historic Crago Mill building progresses, allocating $400,000 for this work.
A report will be prepared to Council if grant/beneficiary funding sources to undertake further work to the historic Crago Mill building become available. Council staff will now investigate the feasibility of subdividing the proposed land area identified for the new commercial development, to potentially sell this site. A minimum of 2 years of maintenance funding for the landscaping works was allocated.
Council said they have estimated that not proceeding with the construction of the commercial building and refurbishment of the historic Crago Mill building will save $15 million over 10 years. Something that should have been able to be forecast well before construction commenced.
In summary, the following key elements were resolved to proceed according to Council:
Historic Crago Mill Building – It was decided that critical structural assessment and design work would go ahead, as this will ensure that the project is shovel ready pending successful grant/beneficiary funding for the future restoration of the building.
Demolition of the existing administration building and landscaping of the open space – in a way that enhances environmental and social outcomes, along with enhancement of biodiversity and promotion of flora of the region. This will offer valuable environmental, social, and recreational benefits, and an improved offering to public for leisure and community activities and creating aesthetic appeal that contributes to a higher quality of life for residents. To complete the area landscaping Council have allocated necessary funds, incorporating paths, dark sky compliant lighting, seating, fencing and a yarning circle.
Jasmin Jones, Mayor of Yass Valley Council, said: “It is our responsibility as Council to have a hard look at the realities of continuing with the Stage 2 project – and the review gave us an understanding of the risks to proceed taking into account the updated long term financial plan adopted in June 2025.
“I also want to reiterate that this decision is not an abandonment of Council’s commitment to restore the historic Crago Mill building. It is a sharpening of our focus and a chance to obtain clarity about what resources are required to complete the restoration works and, separately, what costs are associated with enhancement works to the historic Crago Mill building.
“What is of primary importance to Council going forward is that we ensure our financial sustainability and continue serving our Yass Valley community and prioritise our rate payers’. “Look what we have achieved so far – the project is on budget and scheduled to open the new Library in late 2025 with diverse community meeting spaces, creative zones and young people spaces. Our staff are looking forward to taking up residence in the new fit-for-purpose administration building, which will also serve as an Emergency Operations Centre during emergency events. I am looking forward to seeing the final completion of Stage 1 – which will include open space and landscaping that will enhance and activate our town centre.”
Should Council go back to the community and see if the historic Crago building should be demolished or saved? Nearly every little town or large village at the turn of the 1900s had a mill. Many have just fallen in to disrepair and while some are saved at great cost, are these mills so historically important to modern day centres.
Council commissioned a review, carried out by AEC Group, about the impact moving ahead with Stage 2 would have on its finances. This could have been done internally and costs saved, however, Council has spent more money finding out that they can’t afford to do something.
The report found that any movement on Stage 2 would take a toll on Council financially compared to Stage 1. It also made an estimate that the total cost would be $56.2 million but who knows what the final cost will now be.
When put to Council during the September meeting where this decision was made, Councillor Fleur Flanery pushed to put a pause on Stage 2, a decision that would see Councillor support. There has been mixed reaction in Yass with some people disappointed Council had made the decision, but some thinking it was obvious from the start.
When Yass Valley Council originally announced the $50 million dollar precinct, there was a similar mixed reaction with some excited for the new facilities, and some questioning if this was the best use of Council money when residents were asking for clean water.
With tens of millions now being spent on a plant upgrade but little on the water mains needed to get that water to the customer taps, clean or dirty water could still come from the faucet. Councils financial position continues to be in jeopardy, not helped by the Crago Mill going over the original budget by over $5 million, but with issues with clean water and the recent rate hike discussion which saw attention from national news, its hard to see that the Crago Mill Precinct lived up to the promises Council made.
A lot of money, a lot of time, a lot of fuss, a lot of discussion, but most importantly, a whole lot of nothing.
– Jack Murray
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