News
3 September, 2026
$10 million boost for Crago Mill development in Yass
The second phase of Yass Valley Council’s Crago Mill Precinct project will receive a $10 million boost from the Federal Government.
The second phase of Yass Valley Council’s Crago Mill Precinct project will receive a $10 million boost from the Federal Government.
Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain MP was in Yass on Thursday to address $45 million in funding for eight different projects across Australia as part of the regional Precincts and Partnerships Program.
Almost a quarter of that funding will go to the next phase of the Crago Mill project which involves rehabilitation of the historic Crago Mill building – a Yass Valley landmark – to house a café and a yarning circle as well as cultural artworks and storytelling displays.
Mrs McBain said the Federal Government funding would help preserve Crago Mill as “an enduring community asset”.
“This will be a welcoming place for community connection, supporting local business, tourism and economic activity.”
Mayor Jasmin Jones said the Federal Government funding was a “welcome and much-needed boost” for the Crago Mill project.
“It protects the value of the work already delivered, gets Stage 2 moving again and - alongside council’s revised scope and efficiencies - helps reduce the anticipated project cost to our community from around $50 million to $35 million.
“That is significant support for council’s financial sustainability and means we can move forward with confidence on a project that will create lasting cultural, economic and community benefits.”
As reported by The Southern Wire in October last year, council resolved to ‘discontinue the full completion Stage 2’ of the Crago Mill Precinct project because of its financial position.
This meant fencing the historic mill off and undertaking a structural assessment and design work – but not undertaking any work on the building itself unless it was able to source external funding.
Major Jones said the Crago Mill Precinct was “much more than a building project”.
“It is a true partnership,” she said.
“Together with the Onerwal Local Aboriginal Land Council, our Emergency Services, the Yass Valley Business Chamber and our broader community, we are creating a precinct that celebrates our Ngunnawal and agricultural heritage, strengthens our resilience in times of emergency and creates new opportunities for investment, connection and activation of our main street and central business district.
"I thank the Australian Government and all our partners for helping us reach this point.
“We have an opportunity to build something our community can be proud of for generations to come.
“The best part is we will do it together - and that is a blessing beyond measure.”
President of the Yass Valley Business Chamber President, Jack Walker, said the funding was a “significant win” for the Yass Valley and demonstrated what could be achieved through collaboration.
“Securing substantial external funding is an important step in reducing the financial burden on local ratepayers while progressing a project that is an important civic, community and business hub for Yass Valley,” Mr Walker said.
“This investment reinforces Yass not only as the civic but also the economic centre of our LGA.
“Strengthening the heart of Yass Valley supports business activity, jobs, investment and services across the wider region, while recognising the increasingly strategic role Yass has to play within the broader Capital Region and its sustainable future growth.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Onerwal Local Aboriginal Land Council, Marcayla Stopp said the Crago Mill Precinct presented a “significant opportunity” to recognise and celebrate the deep cultural heritage of First Nations people in the Yass Valley region.
“By incorporating Ngunnawal perspectives, stories and knowledge into the precinct, we can create a meaningful place for cultural learning, truth-telling and reconciliation, while ensuring the history of this land is respected and shared with the wider community.”
Stage 1 of the Crago Mill project involved a new council administration building, meeting rooms and a library.
Stage 2 of the project will include landscaping and demolition of council’s old administration building as well as the works on the historic mill.
Crago Mill is more than 150 years old and is recognised an important part of the Yass region’s history.
It was built in 1870 and has variously been used as a mill, a rabbit processing and freezing works and as a produce store.
--------------
Subscribe to The Southern Wire Newsletter for free at the link below.
https://subscribe-forms.beehiiv.com/1986abc6-c89e-4781-9db2-cf35c9dd71e4
If you value independent local journalism across the Highlands, Tablelands and Wollondilly, please click the link below to support us to ensure we remain paywall free.
Read More: Southern Tablelands, Yass