The 14 lot subdivision - consisting of 12 residential blocks, a 2.67 hectare reserve fronting the Yass River and a 2441 square metre reserve surrounding the grave of the 19th century Yass Plains MP and prominent local businessman- began just weeks ago, after the Land and Environment Court of NSW granted Yass Valley Developments Pty Ltd permission to construct in June 2007.

Many residents expressed their outrage when the development application was lodged with council in August 2005, with the firm belief there are more graves in the area just off Irvine Drive.

Yass Valley Developments Pty Ltd made numerous alterations to its original application in an attempt to meet council’s approval. However, in February 2007, Yass Valley Council rejected the development application, citing the then water policy as the main reason behind its decision.

Yass Valley Developments Pty Ltd refused to accept council’s decision, taking them to the Land and Environment Court of NSW.

On June 13, 2007, the developers were given the all clear to subdivide the area, with the condition they provided council with a 2.67 hectare reserve fronting the river and maintained Laidlaw’s grave.

Gloria Carlos, President of the Yass Historical Society, was very critical of the proposal. “It should have been left the way it was. That area is one of the oldest Catholic cemeteries in country NSW. People seem to think there’s only one grave up there… but that’s not true. Other people are buried there. That’s a fact, we just don’t know the dimensions of the burial site,” Mrs Carlos said.

Brendan Price of Yass Valley Developments Pty Ltd is adamant all aspects of the development have been met, shrugging off claims his organisation was constructing over the top of burial sites. “We had intensive GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) tests done on the area and it found there’s nothing but rocks there.

“I’m not a selfish person. I want more people to come live in Yass. I could have kept that land for myself, but instead there’s an opportunity for another twelve people to come and live in Yass.

“Go down the main street and ask business owners whether they would like to see new families move to Yass… it’s obvious know what the answer would be,” Mr Price said.

While Mr Price feels the new subdivision is a fantastic opportunity for Yass, others feel the area should have been preserved for its heritage alone.

Mr Price said housing construction would be ready to begin on the residential blocks in a few months time.