$10 million for historic Crago Mill precinct 'quite the gamechanger'

Further work on the historic Crago Mill precinct will push ahead, thanks to a multi-million-dollar government grant. Photo: Sally Hopman. Yass Valley Council has secured a $10 million federal grant to kick off Stage 2 of the historic Crago Mill precinct restoration. The project is one of eight regional developments sharing $45 million in the latest round of the Federal Government's $400 million Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program, designed to boost local jobs and regional economic growth. Yass Valley Council Mayor Jasmin Jones said the council completed the grant application in 2024. 'Quite the game-changer,' she said when asked what the successful outcome means for the project. 'Having completed Stage 1 of the project, it was very clear that we couldn't proceed without the grant.' READ ALSO Fatal Yerrabi Pond swan mauling prompts calls for better protections from uncontrolled, unleashed dogs Mayor Jones wouldn't be drawn on a delivery date for Stage 2, saying that possible tendering work was still to come. 'This project will have regional significance once we restore this 1800s building … It'll have a direct impact on the rejuvenation of the Yass central business district.' But it's not the full scale of works that council initially planned – that was abandoned after a September 2025 review. Yass Council first proposed demolishing the existing administrative building, refurbishing the historic Crago Mill, and constructing a new commercial building. The September review found that pushing ahead with Stage 2 would constrain the council's cash reserves and affect its financial stability (when compared to only completing Stage 1). Instead, the new Stage 2 will include landscaping, the creation of a yarning circle, and the refurbishment of the historic Crago Mill. Yass Valley Business Chamber president Jack Walker said that last year's scope change represented 'a bit of a shock'. 'We supported the project as a whole, not just one stage of it,' he said. 'We made our views known to council that we were not supportive of the halt. 'With that said, using retrospect and hindsight, having seen and understood that council were being fiscally responsible economic managers … they did do what they said they would do, which is persevere, which is trying to obtain grants that would enable them to continue to undertake the full scale of the project.' He said council saw the project as part of a 'continued activation' of the town's main street. 'This grant goes to reducing that financial burden on ratepayers,' he added. 'It's significant locally from that perspective, significant from a business perspective … It's further reinforcing that Yass is an important place.' READ ALSO 'Kick in the guts': Riverina farmers lose $1.5 billion water battle Member for Monaro Kristy McBain said the project will help preserve the historic Crago Mill as an enduring community asset by creating culturally significant spaces, artworks, storytelling displays and a yarning circle. 'This will be a welcoming place for community connection, supporting local business, tourism and economic activity,' she said. 'We are supporting projects like this across regional Australia to boost opportunities and liveability by revitalising community assets and underused spaces.' Make us preferred on Google