All of the state's 152 councils are required to submit a business case to the NSW Government demonstrating how they will be sustainable and effectively provide services into the future, before the June 30 deadline.

Mayor Rowena Abbey said while it hopes to remain an independent body, council will need the support of the community to ensure it is Fit for the Future.

“Our option around here [for amalgamation] is Palerang, Goulburn and Queanbeyan; I don’t personally agree they are great options for the residents of the Yass Valley,” councillor Abbey said.

General Manager David Rowe said that if the state government doesn't accept the submission that we are Fit for the Future the prospects for the Yass Valley council is uncertain. The answer will be made by the end of October.

“We think we are rather unique and we can stand alone as the Yass Valley, that is why we need the communities support to ensure that we are Fit for the Future. It is desperately important that this process is not undermined.”

“At the end of the day it is only going to hurt the community if the process is undermined.”

Council is forming a 40 member community working group to work alongside Councillors and management in preparing for the submission, by identifying key issues and developing scenarios.

Mr Rowe said that they are trying to get retrospective groups, randomly selected for a good cross section of representation. 

“We are like every other NSW council in that our expenditures have increased and income hasn't kept track of expenditures over the years.

"So we are ... looking at how we are going to maintain our assets, what sort of assets we need for the future and what sort of money we need and what does the community want,” he said. 

Mr Rowe stated that it will take real commitment to understand the dilemma that we have and create a clear dialogue about what the community wants and needs.

“I think that’s a part of the misinformation that is going around, no one believes or understands the situation we are in. Whether we increase revenue or reduce services and expenditure or a combination of these are the discussions that we have to have with our community.”

“The real challenge for us is to get the community to understand what is happening. No one wants to pay any more money, no matter where you are, but they need to understand what our situation is, what they are getting for their money and what the money is needed for.

“Hopefully through this exercise we can help build up that rapport with the community... we have learnt a lot from past experiences and we need to have a better dialogue with the community with Fit for the Future.”

Mayor Abbey said the engagement with the community is an enormous part of this process. 

“There is no quick fix in this, it’s not just local government but state and federal government also.  

“The end result is that we have to show a steady improvement in our financial situation, instead of showing a decline. We have to build the business up so it is steady and sustainable.

The Tribune asked both Mayor and General Manager about the application of grants and assets. 

Mayor Abbey said that Council will continues to  apply for Grants to bolster the revenue but acknowledged that we have not been very successful with many grants recently due to criteria restrictions.

Mr Rowe explained that selling of council assets is not a long term solution to resolving the annual budget dilemma but is always something that Council can consider.

“It [selling assets] can fund short term budget problems, is not sustainable for the future and has the potential to restrict future opportunities,” he said.