WMD Groupholdings, a family-owned business, has applied to build 62 residential homes, plus senior’s living, a childcare centre, medical centre, hotel and motel accommodation and retail on land  north of Yass near the river, three hours from Sydney.

‘Yarrah’ which is already zoned for residential development has been put forward to support the growing population and is the biggest new development of its kind in Yass in years.

The council’s Settlement Strategy has forecasted that the population which was recorded  as 16,802 in 2017 will rise to 27,726 by 2036 due to natural growth and people relocating.

WMD Groupholdings’ Charles Walker told the local paper that they have undertaken consultation with the community, builders and council to find out what the town’s needs were, an important part of the plan according to the council’s Director of Planning and Environmental Services, Chris Berry.

“We have a lot more single families, ageing couples, empty nesters and single people,” he said, and they would be catering to the changing demographics of the community. Adding that they would employ local contractors for the build.

Because of WMD Groupholdings’ workshops with the community one of the key factors incorporated into the development would be varying sized allotments starting at 450 sqm up to 899 sqm.

There are some challenges with the proposed site and further consultation will be needed with government agencies relating to the environment, heritage and roads.

However, if things go to plan Mr Berry estimates the application could be approved by October 2018 with construction beginning early 2019.