NSW · Southern Tablelands (Capital region) · Local council, made simple
Yass Valley Council
A large rural council on the Southern Tablelands, in the Canberra commuter belt — around 17,600 people across the town of Yass and villages like Murrumbateman, Sutton, Gundaroo, Binalong and Bowning, in the wine country north of the ACT. The council runs the local services you use every week — water and sewer, waste, roads, libraries, parks, development — and sets your rates. Here's the snapshot, then the stuff that affects your week.
Everyday essentials
The things people actually need from the council — fast.
Get to know your council
The basics, in one tap — open any card for key facts and a link to the official source.
This year's rate rise, how it compares across NSW, and why bills differ.
2025–26 rate peg: 4.1%
Open →Budget & financesHow financially healthy the council is, measured against official benchmarks.
Meets 3 of 9 OLG financial benchmarks
Open →Crime & safetyYass Valley's recorded crime rates, side by side with the NSW average.
All but one major offence below the NSW rate
Open →Mayor & councillorsWho represents you — and where to read their official profiles.
Mayor: Jasmin Jones (Independent)
Open →Elections & votingWhen the next council election is, and how voting works.
Next election: Sat 9 Sep 2028
Open →Contact & servicesHow to reach the council and report a problem.
Customer service: (02) 6226 1477
Open →City profileThe basics: how many people live here, how big the area is.
Population: ~17,600 (2023–24)
Open →What's happening
9 updatesAuto-collected from Yass Valley Council's public channels and drafted in plain language (pending review).
- Event
Read and Craft Story Time
14 Sep 2026 Read and Craft Story Time 14 September 2026 Join us at the library for stories and craft every Monday 10:30am during school term.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Yass Valley Council — Events
- Event
Tots Wriggle and Rhyme
16 Sep 2026 Tots Wriggle and Rhyme 16 September 2026 Come down to the library for songs, music, and a wriggly good time Wednesdays 10am during school term
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Yass Valley Council — Events
- Event
Sutton Village Country Markets
13 Sep 2026 Sutton Village Country Markets 13 September 2026 Sutton Village Country Markets is a vibrant local market bringing together fresh produce, handmade crafts, delicious food and unique treasures. Enjoy a relaxed country atmosphere, meet local makers and growers, and discover something special.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Yass Valley Council — Events
- Event
Dare to Be Brave with Kerry McInnis
12 Sep 2026 Dare to Be Brave with Kerry McInnis 12 September 2026 Following Kerry’s approach to painting, using a rather wild technique, you will work quickly with energy and spirit. The aim of this workshop is to encourage participants to loosen up their approach in representing a subject in 2D.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Yass Valley Council — Events
- Event
Blues Brothers at Liberty Theatre
11 Sep 2026 Blues Brothers at Liberty Theatre 11 September 2026 Experience this 1990 classic at Liberty Theatre! Featuring Jake Blues (John Belushi) is released from Joliet Prison and immediately reunited with his brother Elwood (Dan Aykroyd).
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Yass Valley Council — Events
- Event
Tulip Top Gardens Sutton
14 Sep 2026 Tulip Top Gardens Sutton 14 September 2026 As showcased on the Better Homes and Gardens television show, spring at Tulip Top Gardens is a blissful haven that is must-see. Acres of stunning world-class gardens framed by weeping willows, and 1000 blossoms, paint the scene for almost a million tulips, daffodils and other flowers creatively planted.
What this means for you: Open the source to see the details and any deadline to respond.
Source: Yass Valley Council — Events
- Policy
Councillors vote not to pursue a Special Rate Variation
At a 12 November 2025 meeting, councillors voted against seeking community feedback on a Special Rate Variation; staff had put forward options ranging up to a cumulative ~58.7% increase over three years to address the council's operating deficit.
What this means for you: Rates will not rise above the standard IPART peg through a special variation for now; the council has said the decision means finding around $3.5 million a year in savings, which it has flagged could affect service levels.
Source: The Southern Wire — Councillors reject Special Rate Variation
- Policy
New waste transfer site fees from 1 July 2025
Updated disposal fees took effect at Yass Valley's waste transfer sites (including Yass and Murrumbateman) from 1 July 2025; each rateable property still receives two annual waste vouchers for free drop-off up to about 600 kg.
What this means for you: If you take waste or green material to a transfer station beyond your two free vouchers, the charges changed from 1 July 2025 — check current fees before you go.
- Policy
Delivery Program 2025–2029 adopted
The council adopted its Delivery Program 2025–2029 and 2025–26 Operational Plan, setting priorities including water security (the Yass–Murrumbateman pipeline), sewerage upgrades and financial sustainability.
What this means for you: This is the elected council's four-year plan of what it intends to deliver; the linked document sets out the projects and budget behind your rates.
Email alerts aren't switched on yet
We haven't started sending email, so we're not taking addresses for now. New items from Yass Valley Councilshow up under “What's happening” above as we find them, each linked to its official source.