A development application for a new precinct to be known as Yarrah has been submitted to Yass Valley Council. 

It would be situated on land north of Yass near the river, subdividing 60 and 82 Laidlaw Street.

WMD Groupholdings, a family-owned business from Yass, is the applicant and owner of the land. The land had been zoned by council several years ago for new residential development.

There is additional land adjacent to this, which council decided to sell to WMD Groupholdings in 2017 after an expression of interest from the developer and one other party. The council took the highest offer.

The council is about a month away from exchanging contracts for the land, which will be used to expand the development. The current application represents only phase one of overall plans.

It is the biggest new development of its kind in Yass in years and has been put forward to support the growing population. The council’s Settlement Strategy forecasts the population to rise to 27,726 by 2036 (16,802 recorded in 2017) from natural growth and people relocating.

WMD Groupholdings held a workshop with 31 community members, then builders and council staff between July 2017 and March 2018 to find out what the town’s needs were and has incorporated those into the plans.

Charles Walker of WMD Groupholdings said it had considered how “the development offers a product range that suits local builders, local people and of all demographics with a range of budgets. 

“Then there are also people that come to the town from regional areas; those that work in Canberra but don’t want to live in Canberra; and people leaving Canberra in search of affordability, to consider,” he said.

“We’re looking at what makes Yass great – wide streets, green space – and incorporating that into the development.”

Mr Walker confirmed it would employ local contractors for the build.

One of the key factors incorporated into the development, as a result of WMD Groupholdings’ workshops with community, would be varying sized allotments. 

The idea is to cater to the changing demographics of the community. 

Allotments would start at 450 sqm and go up to 899 sqm. 

All of them would have views of Yass River and be close to Yass Public School and the town centre.

The council’s director of planning and environmental services, Chris Berry, said this was an important part of the plan.

“Our demographics have changed; what is fantastic for mum and dad and three kids is not necessarily reflective of the most dominant demographics in our community,” he said.

We have a lot more single families, ageing couples, empty nesters and single people.

There are some challenges with the proposed site and the council is welcoming any further issues and concerns to be raised by public.

Mr Berry said those that had been flagged currently included potential flooding issues because of the land’s close proximity to the river; access into the sight, which would require a new crossing over the old tramway after Laidlaw Street; and existing, private houses near the land.

Further consultation will also need to be made with government agencies relating to the environment, heritage and roads, as examples.

WMD had consulted with the local Aboriginal community to ensure there were no artifacts on the land.

Mr Berry of the council estimated that if everything was to go to plan, the application could be approved by October 2018 and construction could begin in the New Year.

Anyone can view the plans at the council until 5pm on Wednesday August 15 or online under the ‘On Exhibition’ page at: 

You can also raise any issues and concerns with council until then in writing or email: