The Valley Views Issue 33 | April 2019

conclusion of the detailed design and final business Mayor’sMayor’s MessageMessage case. Fixing the palatability of LET’S TALK WATER the Yass water supply is a Council understands that the continued discolouration major focus for Council, and odour impacting some parts of our supply network and has been for many is not ideal for our residents or businesses. We want years. It is not a cheap and to reassure residents that everything is being done easy fix. We need to ensure to improve the situation and we are investigating all that we get the right possible options for a short term solution. system that is going to fix I would like to reiterate that the water supply is safe our unique water quality to consume. The odour and reddish-brown coloured issues. We also don’t see particles sometimes found in your water are caused burdening our community by the increased presence and oxidization of naturally with the enormous $11m occurring elements (iron and manganese) in the Yass cost for the upgrade of water catchment. They are extremely unpleasant but the Yass Water Treatment not harmful or hazardous. This increased presence of Plant as the right solution. naturally occurring minerals is caused by numerous Instead we will ensure we factors, in particular the continued drought conditions investigate every possible currently being experienced across the region. funding option available to us and also follow up Numerous councils across the state are experiencing on the State Government Mayor Rowena Abbey the same issues. We are not alone. But we do want to commitments made reassure you that we are working closely with experts prior to the recent election. This will take time, so we ask for your in the water quality field to try to find a solution as patience and understanding, so we can get this right for our growing quickly as possible. Water experts from the Department community. of Primary Industry (DPI), NSW Health, Hunter Water and other private firms have been working with staff Cr Rowena Abbey to look at ways to improve the operation of Yass Yass Valley Mayor Water Treatment Plant to cope with this ongoing and unprecedented situation. At this point in time Council are unable to put an exact timeframe on when the water supply will return to normal. The discoloured water seems to be occurring in pockets YASS VALLEY COUNCIL of the supply network and is not a blanket problem for Contact all households. When you experience discolouration, Street Address: 209 Comur Street YASS run the nearest tap to the water meter into a bucket Postal Address: PO Box 6 YASS NSW 2582 to clear the discoloured water. If discolouration persists, Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5:00pm report it directly to Council by calling 6226 1477. This Cashier 9:00am – 4:30pm will allow staff to understand exactly where the issue is Phone: 02 6226 1477 occurring, investigate further, flush the water mains and conduct on-the-spot water testing. After Hours: 0408 625 694 In December 2018 Council accepted a grant of $1.2m Fax: 02 6226 2598 from the Housing Acceleration Fund under the Restart Email: [email protected] NSW Program (NSW Government) to prepare a detailed Website: yassvalley.nsw.gov.au design and final business case to upgrade the treatment Yass Valley Council plant. Staff have commenced the procurement process for this project, with an expected completion time by @YVC_Mayor May 2020. The construction phase will commence at the Major projects ARE UNDER WAY ACROSS the Valley Keep up to date with Council’s major projects through our dedicated webpage: www.yassvalley.nsw.gov.au/our-council/major-projects Temporary road closure in place for road construction new amenities building will not only be positive for our sporting & bridge replacement on Mulligans Flat Road teams but it will allow this community asset to be used for a wide Council commenced the final stage of road construction on Mulligans array of groups and events,” said Gundaroo Community Association Flat Road, Sutton as well as the demolition and construction of a new President, Moraig McKenna. concrete bridge on Monday, 25 March. The road will be temporarily Council staff are finalising plans for the Gundaroo amenities building, closed to traffic, with works to conclude before the end of June 2019. with the project to be undertaken in the 2019/2020 project cycle. “Mulligans Flat Road is the highest trafficked, unsealed road in our Local Government Area and provides a key link for regional commuters into the north of the ACT,” said Yass Valley Mayor, Rowena Abbey. “The sealing of the road has been a major priority for Council, with significant investment made into the road over the last four years.” The temporary road closure of Mulligans Flat Road will detour traffic onto Sutton Road and East Tallagandra Lane, adding approximately 6km to the trip. Council has investigated options to keep the road open during the construction works. However with a heavily reduced speed limit and traffic control in place it is anticipated that delays will Binalong is the first of three amenities buildings be longer than the short detour via East Tallagandra Lane. to be replaced in Yass Valley “We understand that this temporary road closure will cause an inconvenience to local residents and road users and we do apologise for this and ask for everyone’s patience during the project,” said Yass Walker Park & Murrumbateman Rec Ground Lighting Valley Council Director Engineering, Stan Robb. “By closing the road Project to through traffic it will fast track how quickly the project canbe April 2019 will see the commencement of this project. It has completed and our contractor understands the importance of having been a joint initiative to get this lighting project off the ground, a this road re-opened to traffic as soon as possible.” project which will enhance our sporting facilities and provide more Local access will be provided to property owners that front Mulligans opportunities for night games and training for local sporting teams. Flat Road, between Sutton Road and East Tallagandra Lane, as well as Walker Park, Yass will have lighting upgraded on level 1 and installation access for all emergency vehicles. of new lighting on level 3. Murrumbateman Recreation Grounds will Council was successful in obtaining $940,000 under round 3 of the have new lighting installed on the oval. NSW Government’s Fixing Country Roads program, with Council Council was successful in obtaining $650,000 of funding for this allocating a further $360,000 in the 2018/2019 budget. In 2015/2016 project under Round Two of the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Council sealed 1.35km of Mulligans Flat Road ($470,000) and in Communities Fund. 2016/2017 a further 1.76km ($816,000). Construction (trenches and piers) will commence in April 2019, with final installation occurring in early June. Further consultation will take place with user groups, as the ovals will be unavailable during this installation phase.

Stage one of Mulligans Flat Road works in 2015

Binalong, Sutton & Gundaroo Amenities Buildings Walker Park, Yass Council successfully obtained $1.65m in funding under the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Program for the construction of three amenities buildings located in our villages of Good Hope Road Rehabilitation Binalong, Sutton and Gundaroo. Rehabilitation works on Good Hope Road will get underway in late Works are well and truly underway on the Binalong amenities March 2019, with works scheduled to be completed by the end of building, with the contractor working tirelessly to have the building May 2019. This project has a total budget of $250,000 and is funded open for use as soon as possible. The original completion date is June by Council in the 2018/2019 budget. 2019, but Council are hoping this date will be brought forward. Council will be undertaking the reconstruction of approximately 500 Binalong Progress Association President, Libby Elliot said the new metres of Good Hope Road, approximately 8km from the Wee Jasper facility will be fantastic for the entire Binalong community. Road intersection. The proposed works are required to improve the “With new, clean and safe amenities our school and sporting teams condition of the road and drainage at this location. will be able to host more events which will have a positive economic Working hours will be from 7am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. During this flow-on effect for local businesses,” Mrs Elliot said. time road users may experience short delays of 5-10 minutes as work Sutton Community Association President, Alison Walker said mental is being undertaken. Council asks for your patience during this time. and physical health and wellbeing are so important, especially in During these works, access to properties may be impacted. Council smaller regional communities like Sutton. will try to minimise this disruption and provide property owners “This new facility will provide so many opportunities for community with further advice as and when this is likely to occur. sport to develop which is very exciting for our residents,” Ms Walker said. At the February meeting of Council it was resolved to accept the lump sum tender of $562,389 (ex GST) from Gundagai Construction Services for the construction of the new amenities building at Sutton. Demolition of the existing building will commence in late March, earthworks in April, pouring of the concreate slab in May-June and construction from July-September 2019. Ms McKenna said that the Gundaroo community is very grateful for this funding and look forward to building commencing. Good Hope Road rehabilitation works in 2016 “The Gundaroo oval is a very popular facility for our village and this SPECIAL RATE VARIATION PAYING DIVIDENDS IN MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE SPEND t Contractors conducting piling works at Derringullen Bridge, Black Range Road Yass Valley was successful in receiving grant funding of $2.485m under Round 3 of the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Roads Program. A requirement of accepting this grant is for Council to match the funding to the program of works. This matched funding has only been possible through the introduction of a four year Special Rate Variation (SRV) in 2016/2017. With the introduction of the SRV Council made a promise to the community that the additional rate income raised would be directed into infrastructure projects. The Timber Bridge Replacement Program is evidence of this. Originally it would have taken 25+ years to fund such Bridge Construction Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov an extensive infrastructure upgrade. Through the SRV this current Program Leake Street (Bowning Creek) will now be completed in 2020. Graces Flat Road (Two Mile Creek) At the time of writing this newsletter pilings at both Walmsleys Bridge (Yass Childowla Road (Jugiong Creek) River Road) and Derringullen Bridge Childowla Road (Oak Creek) (Black Range Road) had been completed Burrinjuck Road (Barrenjack Creek) with both steel bridges anticipated to be open to traffic in June 2019. Horseshoe Road (Mullion Creek) The construction of seven concrete Nottingham Road (Nottingham Creek) bridges is underway, with Leake Street, Bowning being the first bridge to start. Yass River Road (Walmsleys Crossing) The construction of the remaining six Black Range Road (Derringullen Creek) concrete bridges - Graces Flat Road, Childowla Road x 2, Burrinjuck Road, Childowla Road (Limestone Creek) TBC TBC TBC TBC TBC Horseshoe Road & Nottingham Road Nottingham Road (Micalong Creek) TBC TBC TBC TBC TBC – will roll out as per the following schedule. * The above schedule is dependent on a number of variables out of Council’s control and should act as a guide only. At the time of writing, the advertising period for the tender for the two steel remaining bridges (Childowla Road & Nottingham Road) had closed, with submissions to be reported to the March 2019 Council meeting.

YASS VALLEY Australia Day Award RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED The 2019 Yass Valley Australia Day Award recipients were announced at a community breakfast in Coronation Park, Yass. Peter Dyce of Gundaroo has been named Citizen of the Year after a 60+ year association with the Gundaroo Bush Fire Service and his involvement in saving the Gundaroo Primary School from closing in the 1970’s. Peter was appointed Captain of the Gundaroo Brigade in 1978, a position he held until 1995 and was the driving force behind setting up Fire Cadet classes at surrounding high schools. Noeleen Hazell was recognised as Senior Citizen of the Year for her long standing volunteer roles within the community of 2019 Yass Valley Australia Day Award recipients Bookham and Berremangra, having been a dedicated Committee member for the Bookham Tennis Club, Aboriginal students, students with a disability and those who need Bookham War Memorial Hall, Bookham-Berremangra Red Cross, additional support and assistance which makes her commitment to Bookham Hospital Auxiliary and an inaugural member of the youth in our community exceptional. Bookham Croquet Club. Leon is a highly valued member of the Binalong community, Isobella (Bella) Campbell was named Young Citizen of the Year in dedicating almost every waking minute to the Binalong Brahmans, recognition for her work as a national CanTeen Ambassador. Bella lost Binalong Rural Fire, Binalong Fishing Club, Binalong Cricket Club and her father, Andy, to lung cancer in 2015. Her motivation to be involved Binalong Primary School. in CanTeen is personal but her commitment is to all families, and Ray Hehir and Sharleen and Kurt Bailey were honoured with Community especially young people, dealing with illness, loss and uncertainty as Service Awards. Ray is a prominent, generous and respected member a result of a family member being diagnosed with cancer. of the Murrumbateman community and is affectionately known as Recognised for their committed volunteers, the Yass & District “Mr Fix-it”. Ray is an active member of the Murrumbateman Rural Fire Historical Society Inc. have been named Community Group of the Service, Murrumbateman Men’s Shed and volunteers his time at the Year. The Historical Society is a volunteer run community group who Murrumbateman Field Days, Wine Show and Kennel Club Show. are passionate about recording the history of Yass and surrounds, and Sharleen and Kurt are jointly awarded for their involvement in the also operate the popular Yass & District Museum. establishment of the Vine Community Food Care facility, which Two Mayoral Awards were announced, with Tracey Bills and Leon provides affordable food for low income families of Yass Valley. Arabin acknowledged for their commitment to teaching and the Kurt also volunteers as the Yass Valley & Southern Highlands State community of Binalong, respectively. Tracey has been a teacher at Emergency Services Local Commander and was recently awarded the Yass High School for over 30 years and it is her dedication towards 2018 NSW South Coast / Southern Inland Adult Volunteer of the Year. To find out more information about Events Eventsthese events, CalendarCalendar orto promote your upcoming community event please visit: JUNE https://www.yassvalley.nsw.gov.au/our-community/whats-on/ 1 & 15 Yass Community Market Send in your community events so we can help you promote 10am to 1pm @ Yass Soldiers Memorial Hall, them – [email protected] Comur St, Yass. 6 Yass CWA Meeting MAY 9.30am CWA Hall, Banjo Paterson Park, Yass. 2 Yass CWA Meeting 7 Business Chamber Breakfast 9.30am CWA Hall, Banjo Paterson Park, Yass. Meets the first Friday of every month at 7.30am 3 Business Chamber Breakfast for breakfast. All welcome. Check Chamber Meets the first Friday of every month at 7.30am website for location of breakfast. for breakfast. All welcome. Check Chamber 7, 14, 21 Friday Club website for location of breakfast. & 28 10am-2pm – Friday Club is a fun and engaging 3, 10, 17, Friday Club club for older people to participate in a range of 24 & 31 10am-2pm – Friday Club is a fun and engaging activities. Call 6226 4555 to find out how to join. club for older people to participate in a range of 8 & 22 Murrumbateman Village Markets activities. Call 6226 4555 to find out how to join. 9am-1pm @ Murrumbateman Rec Grounds. 4 & 18 Yass Community Market 9 Yass Rural Australians for Refugees meeting Yass Soldiers Memorial Hall, Comur St, Yass. Bringing justice and relief to asylum seekers. 11 & 25 Murrumbateman Village Markets 10 & 24 MyTime Support Group 9am-1pm @ Murrumbateman Rec Grounds. A local support group for parents or carers of a 12 Yass Rural Australians for Refugees meeting child under 16 years of age who has a disability. Bringing justice and relief to asylum seekers. Held fortnightly from 10am-12pm. Contact Yass Valley Home Living Support Service 13 & 27 MyTime Support Group for more information. A local support group for parents or carers of a child under 16 years of age who has a disability. 16 Yass Music Club Concert Held fortnightly from 10am-12pm. More information: https://yassmusicclub.com/ Contact Yass Valley Home Living Support Service 18 Dementia Coffee & Chat Group for more information. 10am – 12pm – Roses Café, everyone welcome. 16 Yass Probus Club Meeting 20 Yass Probus Club Meeting Yass Probus meets at the Soldiers Club on the Yass Probus meets at the Soldiers Club on the third Thursday of the month at 10am. third Thursday of the month at 10am. 20 Dementia Coffee & Chat Group 20 Yass Valley Business Awards 10am – 12pm – Roses Café, everyone welcome. More information: www.yassbusiness.com.au 23 Red Cross Meeting 27 Red Cross Meeting Meetings held at the Yass Soldiers Club on the Meetings held at the Yass Soldiers Club on the 4th Thursday of each month at 2pm and always 4th Thursday of each month at 2pm and always welcome new members. welcome new members.

EVENTS AT YOUR YASS VALLEY LIBRARIES PRE-SCHOOL STORY TIME 9.30am every Monday. (Not held during school holidays.) MURRUMBATEMAN MOVIE MONDAY LIBRARY First Monday of the month at 10.30am. Light-hearted and Open every Saturday fun movies for all ages. 10am – 1pm. MOBILE LIBRARY MINI MUSIC Binalong & Bowning - 1st & 3rd Wednesday Held every Monday Binalong - 1.30-2.30pm, on Fitzroy Street next to the Post (9.30am & 10.45am) at Yass Office. Library. This free event for Bowning - 3-4pm outside the Bowning General Store. children aged 0-4 years and Murrumbateman, Gundaroo & Sutton - 2nd & 4th their parent/s or carer/s Wednesday incorporates music and Murrumbateman - 11am -12pm outside All Saints Anglican crafts to stimulate learning. Church on Hercules Street. TECHHELP Gundaroo - 1.30-2.30pm outside the Soldiers’ Memorial Make an appointment on Tuesday morning or Thursday afternoon Hall. to speak with one of our knowledgeable staff. (Not held during Sutton - 3-4pm at the corner of Camp Street and Victoria school holidays.) Street. LEGO CLUB Wee Jasper - 2nd & 4th Thursday 4pm every Thursday. (Not held during school holidays.) 2.30-3.30pm outside the Primary School.

*The Valley Views newsletter is compiled a number of weeks before delivery. All care is taken to ensure information is accurate for delivery. Please be aware that information may have changed and you should seek clarification from Council - 6226 1477 /[email protected] .