Council needs to work with developers to ensure new developments complement our existing towns.

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Barry Alcorn

Development of any kind is good, always good. The reason Sydney is so big and Yass is not is because for 200 years Sydney has had masses of development and masses of investment crammed into the city limits, some good but a lot of it bad. Yass has avoided all the hustle and pressure and has remained small, selective and subtle. Quality of life rather than quantities of hell.

Developments for any town or community should reflect the atmosphere, attitude and the location of the area, and there have been many studies produced over the years to use as guidelines, such as the LEP strategy. Some are relevant, some are interesting reading, but most are just rubbish. I have found council’s approach sensible and well thought out although lacking vision. The biggest problem is, after lodging an application with any local government you will be handed a pile of fines, forms and fees that would make ‘War and Peace’ seem like light reading.

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David Hingston

The future development is governed to a large extent by the long overdue Local Environment Plan which has been submitted to State Government for approval. Yass Valley is unique in that it borders the ACT, which is expanding at a rapid rate, and will be affected by the NSW government’s Sydney-Canberra planned corridor.

Council does have a duty to ensure the future financial viability is met by an increased rateable land base and contributions to village infrastructure through levies paid by land developers subdividing suitable land surrounding existing previously approved areas.

At each council monthly meeting that I have attended, detailed research papers have been tabled providing balanced discussion on each development application by council’s appropriately trained staff addressing issues such as the environment, engineering, road encroachment and many related matters that may have been overlooked by applicants.

Yass Valley is on the brink of major redevelopment and it has to be managed responsibly by elected members of the community in conjunction with council staff.

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Nic Carmody

If you’re not growing you’re dying… Our Local Government Area needs growth to survive.

Growth means a viable local economy which provides employment and improved services.

Any Development Application needs to be individually assessed to ensure the best outcome and to minimize any potential detrimental effects to immediate neighbourhoods.

Councils need to have appropriate Development Control Plans (DCPs) in place to provide some degree of certainty in the planning process.

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Michael McManus

Without development we will stagnate. We need new residents, new families; the planned growth of Yass I support.

In principle I support development, provided it is well planned and appropriate.

In the past I have supported industrial and residential developments in the Shire, I have also opposed or modified developments which I believe poor or inappropriate for the location.

If elected I will give each development proposal consideration on its merits.

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Allan McGrath

All proposals should be considered on their merits. The present qualification for Yass township and the villages of Bowning and Binalong is the capacity to supply water for any development proposed. A reliable and adequate water supply is a fundamental pre-requisite for development. Yass Valley Council recognised the need to conserve water by imposing harsh water restrictions when necessary, and courageously and correctly, in my view, putting a “cap” on the number of new water connections until an adequate supply was available.

Recently council reversed the “cap” policy, justifying the action on the basis that a decision had now been taken to enlarge the capacity of the dam. I was the sole councillor to oppose removing the “cap.” The reversal has sent mixed messages to the community – water restrictions will still apply as and when necessary – but it is “open slather” on new connections!

If residents are restricted in the availability of water in order to conserve the supply, then I think it is only fair and reasonable that there should also be a restriction on the number of new connections until the situation is fixed. This will also maintain the pressure on council to get on with the task.

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Dorothy Horsman

Development in Yass Valley needs to be carried out in line with a clearly articulated plan (LEP) which takes into account community expectations and opinions, as well as critical issues such as the ability to supply water, sewage, rubbish disposal, roads and other community facilities.

Other issues to be taken into consideration are the heritage of all areas of Yass Valley and the necessity to protect agricultural land.

The provision of increased services in Health and Education, provided by the State Government, needs to be vigorously pursued by Council to ensure acceptable levels of service.

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Terry Birtles

I do not oppose carefully assessed land development, if it meets the Yass LEP, appropriate development consent, Council strategies and the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment ACT 1979. As part of the ACT sub region, Yass Valley Council has associated with other LGAs in preparation of the Sydney-Canberra Corridor Regional Study, the Canberra Plan 2000, and the ACT Economic White Paper, as documents to be considered.

If a proposed subdivision proves to be highly contentious, I encourage an open public inquiry. I have chaired such inquiries for the Queanbeyan City Council and adjacent LGAs, including a weekend inquiry into residential development on the edge of Bungendore in 1993. The developer gave a public presentation and listened to community objections. The Bungendore community then listed values regarded as unique to their town. With the developer’s architect, we jointly redrafted the proposal overnight for community approval on the Sunday.

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Bill Luchetti

Council’s approach to development is determined by its LEP and Development Control Plan, by Government Agencies such as the Roads and Traffic Authority, the Department of Environment and Climate Change and the Rural Fire Service. The main issues considered in determining individual developments are how they will impact on the environment and infrastructure. This brings up such issues as transport, water, the effects on adjoining land etc.

Finally council should ensure that there is community consultation on development issues.

Considered development will boost the local economy. It will also provide a stronger financial base for council through on-going rates and charges not to mention developer contributions.

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David Cassidy

I favour constant development particularly when it comes to residential availability. Demand determines the release of available land which must always meet the Land Environment Plan (LEP) in place at any given time.

Yass Valley Council has now worked on releasing new LEPs for about seven years, following numerous community consultations, discussions with experts within their fields, and consultation with similar Shires. Once approved by the State Government, the LEP will represent the best interests for all ratepayers within our shire. All ratepayers have had an opportunity to assist in the process following broad advertising and well supported community meetings. Therefore newly elected councillors have a set of rules to follow. There should be very few objections to our LEP.

LEPs cover where and conditions homes, industrial business, commercial business, park/gardens, rural activity, land size variations etc are able to be developed and fit nicely into our environment. Councillors must be supportive of their own set of rules in place.

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Brian O’Connor

Council should approach development in the Yass Valley Council Local Government Area by ensuring that all development applications are treated fairly and in accordance with the law.

There is a legal obligation (for councillors) to consider all development applications in accordance with the requirements of the NSW Local Government Act.

The new YVC Local Environmental Plan (LEP) will be operational shortly and compliance with the LEP is mandatory. (As it is with the existing version.)

Development brings growth and without growth Yass will stagnate.

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Judith Williams

The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1997, is the main piece of legislation covering land control in New South Wales. The Act established a new system of environmental planning and assessment for NSW, whilst the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment Act 1997, introduced what is known as integrated development system.

The Environmental and Planning Act does not stand alone, there a number of other Acts which impact on land use and planning. Examples of these are the Heritage Act 1977, National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 and the Native Vegetation Act 1997. Other planning/ development requirements are contained within Local Environment Plans, State Environment Plans, Bush Fire and Safety Authority, State Planning Authorities, Road Traffic Authority, studies such as Heritage, Social Impact, Environmental Impact etc may also be required. Development in Yass Valley Local Government Area must respond to the above requirements.

Future development in the Yass Valley LGA, should support the current and future needs of the residents and present opportunities for population growth, employment, service retention, delivery and expansion, commercial and business activities, education, health, welfare, transport, infrastructure, cultural and recreational facilities, tourism etc.

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Stephen Hill

Council should always approach development with due diligence!

Council must apply absolute due diligence to this development especially as regards the ecological footprint. All new homes should be energy rated with all the (now commonplace) ‘green’ requirements – facing north, full insulation, rainwater tanks and extensive plantings.

The council must also be sure that the raising of the dam wall will supply all of Yass’ water needs for development now and in the future.

Any development could be an opportunity for the council and the developer to showcase what can be achieved when both local government and developers work together for the greatest common good.

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Brian Millett

At the outset, I believe that development in the Local Government Area is a very important issue but it should be considered very carefully so as to make it an environmentally friendly operation which takes into consideration the essential character and needs of the Yass Valley.

I don't see why there should not be development if it is to the benefit of Yass Valley and its residents but they should always be the major beneficiaries of it - and not the developers.

Too often poorly considered directions are taken which, because the community is not the first consideration, we so often have ugly and sprawling suburban 'eyesores'.

The people should be closely consulted by the councillors so that the council truly represents the community's best interests.

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David Needham

We live in a democracy and development in the Local Government Area should be consistent with what the communities want, and their priorities - as far as NSW law will allow. Council has recently conducted public forums on the proposed use of land (industrial and non-urban lands) and has a clear idea of what you say you want.

From here on, how Council approaches development is largely controlled by NSW State Planning. They have dictated a template for the new Local Environment Plan (LEP), plus provided the Sydney Canberra Corridor Strategy, which say what level of new zoning for development can occur – which is not very much!

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Cecil Burgess

Australia has one of the highest costs of housing in the developed world. I welcome any development of housing lots that provide affordable housing. We need to do whatever we can to help our young people settle close to home and help our community grow and prosper.