A key planning document is bringing the dream of Parkwood as a “seamless cross-border experience” across the NSW-ACT boundary a step closer. Image: File.
“Many long years of work” have resulted in the adoption of a watershed planning document, as a major southern NSW residential development continues to take shape.
Parkwood is the NSW component of Riverview Developments’ proposed Ginninderry cross-border development, which is being delivered with the ACT Government.
While Parkwood is in Yass Valley, it can only be accessed by road through the ACT and is being designed to be an integrated community with ACT-style service delivery.
Work on the Parkwood Development Control Plan (DCP) started in late 2024, after Yass Valley Council (YVC) gave the development the green light.
A DCP is formulated by councils and provides high-level planning and design guidelines for a set area.
At their latest meeting, Yass councillors agreed to adopt the finalised policy.
During the discussion, Cr David Carter welcomed the completion of the long-awaited document.
“It was a delight to read the DCP. There’s so much in here that we could learn from or we could take on board.”
Cr Carter pointed to the plan to have 30 per cent tree canopy cover within the development.
“[That] is pivotal to managing the impacts of urban island effect … When we had the recent discussion about the tree management policy, I think it was identified that Yass was at about 15 per cent.
“They also suggested moving towards 30 per cent streetscape being permeable surface area as a passive water solution. I think this DCP is excellent and well worth people’s attention.”
As of October 2025, the council has been developing a tree management strategy for the Yass Valley region.
A staff member said it had been a long road to reach this point, with this document offering a unique approach to the Parkwood development.
“This is the culmination of many long years of work in getting the [DCP] for Parkwood to be a really, really good example of what successful urban development can look like, and what successful urban development can look like for Yass.
“We’ve picked up a lot of elements that are really best practice … [and for] a seamless development outcome that creates some really positive environments for future residents of Yass.”
The NSW and ACT governments and YVC had previously signed a ‘’Parkwood Protocol’’ agreement that will ensure residents have access to the necessary services and infrastructure to live comfortably.
This DCP will cover only the Parkwood development, meaning that standards for the rest of Yass Valley will remain unchanged.
During the public consultation process, feedback included concerns about bushfires in Parkwood’s neighbourhoods (particularly in the north-west) and calls to protect the Murrumbidgee River’s ecology.
Responses given in the council’s meeting papers state that existing guidelines provide a “high level of preservation” for the river.
It is also stated that neighbourhood planning and design will be carried out in accordance with NSW RFS guidelines.
Mayor Jasmin Jones also welcomed completion of the DCP.
“That will be upon us — sooner rather than later, I’m sure,” she said of the development application (DA) for Parkwood.
Previously, a YVC staff member told councillors that the DCP, once finalised, would be used in the assessment of DAs.
