Now with the community's support, Lindsay Hollingsworth, Bec Duncan and councillor Jasmin Jones, acting as a private citizen, will meet with Member for Goulburn Pru Goward on September 27 to ask for an election promise of their petition plea. “From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank the community and businesses for getting behind this. It's now truly a community petition,” Cr Jones said.

“This is not about complaining about what's currently at Yass [District] Hospital; we're a growing community and we're planning for our future families. We now know the only way for full maternity in Yass is with a new hospital. The community and [Yass Valley] Council is behind it; we now ask the government to take a closer look at what's happening here to ensure we've got the correct services for now and in the future.”

Southern NSW Local Health District, the state government department responsible for the operation of public hospital and health services, has committed to conducting a clinical services review of Yass District Hospital, which will include maternity, later this year.

Currently, mothers are unable to deliver in Yass Valley, which has meant women including Ms Hollingsworth and Cr Jones - and very nearly Ms Duncan - gave birth on the side of the Barton Highway on route to out of area maternity wards.

This could become more problematic with Yass’ rapidly growing population.