Yass Landcare operates a community nursery within a portion of Council land at 1428 Yass Valley Way and within the agenda for the June 23rd meeting is a report that provides advice on their application to access Council water supply and waive water bills when their rainwater tanks require replenishing during hot and dry years.
The following recommendations are made in the report:
1. Access to Council reticulated water supply is provided, subject to a metered connection being installed.
2. A water rebate is applied like that applicable to nursing homes, Council’s pools, parks and similar facilities (in the FY 2025-26 Draft fees the rebate is 35 per cent, subject to Council approval).
3. The water meter installation and water bill (after applying the rebate) are paid through the Yass River Catchment Improvement fund budget. The Yass Landcare Nursery funded the acquisition and installation of rainwater tanks and roof guttering to collect water from the Yass Community Centre roof for use at the nursery.
On 21 December 2015, a User Agreement was signed between Yass Landcare and Council to allow Landcare to operate a nursery within the fenced portion. Council said the main production activities of the nursery are as follows:
a) Paddock Tree Project – approximately 2,000 trees for wildlife connectivity and farm productivity.
b) Climate-ready project to increase genetic diversity to help local native vegetation cope with climate change.
c) Bushfire recovery – approximately 3,000 seedlings after the 2019/20 bushfires.
d) Bushfire preparedness.
e) Wide range of tube stocks for local farms and gardens. Tube stocks are sold to farmers at a nominal price of $2.50 per tube, according to Council.
Council received a request from Yass Landcare on 15th May, requesting access to Council’s reticulated water supply during dry and hot years or when their rainwater tanks are depleted. The estimated water requirement to replenish the rainwater tanks during a dry year is estimated at 27.5 kilolitres (kL) by the Council.
Council said the cost of the requested 27.5 kilolitres is estimated to be $113.30, excluding the application of any rebates. Every water user must have a metered connection to measure their water usage. Council said that currently there is no water meter available to measure Yass Landcare’s water usage.
An application to access the reticulated town water supply shall be submitted by Yass Landcare to enable a metered water connection for the nursery. The water meter will be installed by Council and funded through the Yass River Catchment Improvement Fund (Water fund).
Council said the water rebate to be applied is to be like what is applicable to nursing homes, Council pools, parks and similar facilities. After the rebate has been applied, the cost of the water bill shall be borne from the water supply network budget for the Yass River Catchment Improvement Fund (Water fund).
Council will vote next week on this matter.
-Jack Murray
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