Parkwood Development Control Plan

Background

Yass Valley Local Environmental Plan (Parkwood) 2020 (Parkwood LEP) covers an area of approximately 1,000ha at Wallaroo on the ACT/NSW Border. The area is distinctly separated from the remainder of Yass Valley Local Government Area with access to the area being predominantly through Belconnen in ACT. The area was rezoned in 2020 as an Urban Release Area with the Parkwood LEP stating that, amongst other things, a development control plan was to be developed and adopted prior to any development occurring in the area.

It is anticipated that the first development application for land within the Parkwood LEP area will be lodged with Council in 2027/2028.

Although broader strategic discussions are occurring regarding potential border moves associated with this development, YVC has taken the approach of undertaking the key strategic planning work on a good faith basis to ensure that the ongoing rollout of the development area can continue to occur.

The draft Parkwood Development Control Plan 2026 (Parkwood DCP) has been drafted to guide development of the area in a manner that provides a borderless community experience. To this end many of the controls contained with the Parkwood DCP vary significantly from that of the Yass Valley Development Control Plan 2024.

The Parkwood DCP is specific only to that area contained within the Parkwood LEP and takes account of the extended-release timeframe of the area outlined by the overall masterplan for the area. As per the resolution of the 27 November 2025 Council meeting, key engineering standards from the ACT have been utilised in order to achieve the borderless community aim.

The DCP aims to provide the fine grain detail to allow for future development applications to be lodged in a manner which meets the original objectives of the rezoning. The landowners whose land is directly impacted by the Parkwood DCP 2026 have been consulted and provided the opportunity to ask questions directly of Council staff as well as to provide input.

Consultation with Community

Yass Valley Council acknowledges, encourages and supports the views from our community in delivering projects that provide long-lasting positive benefits for the area. We want to hear your views!

Public Exhibition of Draft Plan

Council endorsed this Plan to be publicly exhibited for a minimum 28-day period. If submissions are received a subsequent report will be presented to Council which presents:

(i) Copies of submissions received

(ii) Responses to comments made in submissions received

(iii) Revised Plan for consideration and adoption.

What Next?

This draft policy was endorsed at the 26 February 2026 Council Meeting to be placed on Public Consultation for a period of no less than 28 days and now provides an opportunity for members of the community to provide their feedback.

1. Have a read - Please have a read of the above proposal. Please take the time to understand what it is in document and what it means for you and the local community.
2. Ask a question - If you have any queries or need clarification, please use our 'questions tool' below.
3. Complete the below feedback form - if you have any comments, please leave your feedback below. Your feedback is important as it will inform Council's final decision on this strategy.
4. Other ways to provide feedback: You can also make a submission by email to Council@yass.nsw.gov.au or by writing to Public Consultations, Yass Valley Council, 209 Comur Street, Yass, NSW, 2582.

Any person may make a written submission to Council on the draft document until 5.00pm Wednesday 1 April 2026.

In accordance with the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998, Council will redact any names, email addresses, contact numbers and residential addresses from all submissions received prior to inclusion in the future report to Council.

Thank you for taking the time to share your views.