The historic Yass Railway Bridge is one of the sites people can expect to gaze on from the planned lookout. Photo: Supplied.
A Capital country council will take over an infrastructure project set to showcase the “vista that so inspired” one of the region’s best-known artists.
The Rotary Club of Yass has been developing a lookout for Irvine Drive, but has moved to gift the viewing platform to the local council.
It walks back a December 2023 decision, in which Yass Valley Council (YVC) agreed that the club would be responsible for maintenance.
“Once gifted, council will assume the responsibility for the ongoing maintenance of the asset, and the lookout, carpark and surrounds will be incorporated into council’s assets register,” council meeting papers state.
“This amendment is sought as Yass Rotary Club is unable to commit to the long-term maintenance of the facility.”
During a recent meeting, councillor Alvaro Charry said the group had shown “outstanding work” and professionalism in getting the project to this point.
He noted the club has also committed $10,000 to the project, on top of grant funding.
Appreciation for the Rotary club was echoed by Mayor Jasmin Jones.
“We are sitting on an opportunity to build upon what Yass Rotary have achieved in that area,” she said.
Council meeting documents state that the Rotary club has won an $82,000 grant, which will be used to cover the lookout’s construction.
“The proposed site is already informally used as a lookout area overlooking north Yass, the historic railway bridge, and the Yass River, providing panoramic views of the surrounding landscape,” the papers state.
Once built, the project will feature walking trails, picnic shelter and seating, a raised viewing platform and a sealed carpark at 17 Irvine Drive in Yass.
The area will also be landscaped (including the removal of woody weeds).
Updated designs released by YVC also note that the proposal suggests information signs with details of the area’s geographical, historical, botanical, and First Nations history.
Following the decision, the council will provide project management support for the project’s delivery.
Mayor Jones was also successful in her proposed amendment, which will see the council manage end-of-life asset renewal, subject to grant funding.
She said the structure, once built, is expected to be similar to a lookout in the Ginninderry Conservation Corridor, which has a reproduction of Elioth Gruner’s Weetangera painting from 1937.
She said that “attracts hundreds and hundreds of people”, with this expected to be a new tourist attraction for the town.
“[We can] do something similar, showcasing not only the artwork, but the vista that so inspired it. … I imagine there will be many a honeymooner or potential honeymooner who will use this location.
“I look forward to us being in the top 10 places to propose to your future spouse – if there is such a top 10, I think Yass should be on it!”
The decision means that not only will the YVC handle the long-term maintenance responsibility for the lookout, but that detailed design work will be finalised in conjunction with council staff.
The papers state “low maintenance materials” have been chosen for the project, in an attempt to reduce ongoing costs for YVC.
“Ongoing maintenance costs for council are expected to be minimal for the 2025–26 financial year and into the foreseeable future.”
Meeting documents state the land is currently zoned RE1 Public Recreation and no plan of management needs to be developed for the site.
Work on the project started in 2023, when the Rotary club approached YVC with its plans.
