The Hume Highway may have by-passed years ago, but Yass and its surrounding valley is poised for growth and economic development.
On Thursday night residents and business people of the district heard how their town was in an advanced position to reap the benefits of living next door to the national capital, but not losing its identity to Canberra.
They heard seven guest speakers address their research and projections of future growth in jobs and business at Yass Services Club during the sixth The Next Crop forum conducted by The Land.
Regional Australia Institute chief executive officer, Jack Archer, said Yass and the area around Canberra rates “incredibly high” in competitive index comparisons with other Local Government areas of the state.
Yass is in the top 20 per cent indexes for innovation for labour market efficiencies, unemployment and technological access to internet and skills, Mr Archer said.
“Relative to other regions it’s one of the most competitive places in the country,” he said.
“Growth is going to happen, the Barton Highway will be duplicated at some point in the future, so the challenge is for you to manage the future well so you retain who you are.
“The area has pools of talent, people who want to work, a quite high youth population and an average old-age population. A better position than most other towns.”
Yass mayor, Rowena Abbey,said the area’s community plan was very strong for the future.
“What came out was that agriculture a is very important component of the area and our lifestyle is also important. But we definitely did not want to become a suburb of Canberra,” Cr Abbey said.
“Yass Valley agriculture and viticulture were still the largest employers and the area is still very strong in beef and sheep production and broadacre farming.
“Tourism was growing and is changing from day trips to organised longer experiences.”
Cr Abbey said there were also businesses established that added value to the agriculture sector such as the South Eastern Livestock Exchange and Martins Fertilisers.
“There is also now an interesting mix of farming production where people are making a living from smaller niche acreages like the mushroom factory, olives and smaller boutique farms.
“Yass also has a freight connection with Canberra airport, the Port of Eden, and Wagga Wagga is on the Inland Rail route.
“We’re right in the middle of all of this, so the Yass Valley is an extraordinary place for lots of the opportunities of the future.”
Facilitator, The Land editor, Andrew Norris said The Next Crop forums were about growing conversations from where good ideas are gathered and then shared.
“It’s about how people in rural communities and their businesses can make a positive difference,” he said.
“Concepts of The Next Crop forums include strengthening our rural communities, supporting people and focusing on options.
“Delving into these ideas that are out there, people who are doing interesting things that are making a difference and getting around those challenges that are otherwise making it difficult for rural and regional areas to compete
“And for a community like Yass, we ask where are thigs headed and what decisions are needed to be made to get there.”
