Yass Valley Mayor Allan McGrath turns the first sod in the $50 million Crago Mill development in the town’s centre. Photos: Sally Hopman.
The Mayor of Yass Valley Council, Allan McGrath described it as a “momentous occasion” and “not a time for nervous Nellies” when he turned the first sod of the $50 million Crago Mill development in the centre of town last week (27 June).
The development, which is nearly 20 years in the planning, will be built on the site of the 1870 Crago Mill. It was purchased by the Yass Valley Council (YVC) in 2006 with the plan that, as the town grew, it would be used for a new council administration building and community precinct.
Mr McGrath said a previous council acquired the land but the present one was bringing the plan to fruition.
“This is an exciting step for the Yass Valley,” he said. “It’s been many years in the making and we are proud to be working together with the community to cater to the needs of our growing LGA [local government area].”
He said it was immediately apparent that, as far back as 2004, the Yass Valley Council chambers were inadequate and required work.
YVC General Manager Chris Berry said the Crago project was an important step in catering towards a diverse audience.
“This new precinct will create an inclusive and modern environment for community members and council staff to function in,” he said. “Presently, we are not able to employ anyone in a wheelchair or using other assisted walking devices due to our lack of accessibility. This is not acceptable.”
The new precinct will also include a library, cafe, space for government tenants and community groups, a community hub, public amenities and the Council Administration Building and Chambers.
In a media statement issued on 17 June but embargoed until 27 June, the day the first sod was turned on-site, members of the Yass Valley community and surrounds were invited to attend. But as it was embargoed until the day of the event, only a small crowd attended, mostly YVC employees. An advertised First Nations ceremony to mark the event was not held.
Members of the Yass Valley Council at the sod-turning ceremony to mark the start of work on the new administration precinct.
The $50 million building project has created controversy in the community, specifically, the justification for YVC to borrow $50 million for such a project when, according to residents, funds are urgently needed to upgrade the town’s water treatment works. Residents are regularly subject to brown, smelly water from their taps because of the antiquated waterworks.
Yass Valley resident, Lieutenant-Colonel (ret) Alvaro Charry attended the event with half a dozen others, describing their presence as a “silent protest” against the YVC for “continually failing in their duty of care to the community”.
He has criticised the YVC for borrowing such a large amount to build a new administration centre when residents were regularly subject to brown water from their taps.
“One glaring and obvious example is their enduring inability to fix the Yass Water Treatment Plant, which has been an ongoing issue affecting a large number of Yass Valley residents for an unbelievable amount of time,” he said.
“People are very upset about this.”
A 28-year service veteran, Lt-Col Charry has called on the YVC to show greater transparency in its dealings. He has started a petition which already has more than 230 signatures.
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