Have your say – on Future Federation 2023-2024

Federation Council is asking the community to help shape Future Federation 2023-2024 by providing input into its combined Delivery Program / Operational Plan and Annual Budget.

Council’s combined Delivery Program and Operational Plan is an important document that sets out Council’s action plan for achieving the community priorities outlined in the Community Strategic Plan (CSP). It identifies the projects, programs and activities that council will conduct to achieve the commitments of the Delivery Program. This is supported by the Annual Budget which outlines how Council will fund the delivery of services and projects to its community. It funds services like managing waste, maintaining infrastructure, community facilities and parks, operating libraries, events and services to people at all stages of life. This is ‘Future Federation 2023-2024’.

Federation Council Mayor, Cr Pat Bourke is encouraging everyone who lives, works, studies or visits the Federation Council region to be a part of this engagement opportunity.

“Feedback from our community is a critical component in supporting the development of these plans,” he said.

“Future Federation 2023 – 2024 will outline the way in which we deliver services and projects to our community and we are very keen to hear from all people who use our services, or plan to in the future. We want to hear people’s ideas and priorities so we can use those suggestions to develop our plans that will not only meet the needs of our community within Council’s financial capability, but also strengthen it.”

Mayor Bourke said community feedback is valuable in creating change and helping shape Future Federation 2023-2024.

“Much of our upcoming budget is committed to funding services, programs and infrastructure projects that were identified through the development of the Community Strategic Plan, and Council’s Long Term Financial Plan with you, our community. Through the engagement that informed the development of these plans, you told us what's important to you. Now we want to know how you think we should prioritise our actions and associated budget over the coming year as we continue to deliver on those plans.”

Mayor Bourke said Council also remains committed to continuing to engage on its Special Rate Variation Application that is currently with IPART for determination and will also utilize this opportunity to do so.

“Federation Council is one of thirteen councils across NSW that have applied to (IPART) for a special variation to increase income from rates above the rate peg,” he said.

The Special Rate Variation proposed for Federation Council is for four years from 2023/24 to 2026/27 at 19%, 17%, 14% and 10%, inclusive of any maximum rate peg amount set by IPART each year. Council’s Special Rate Variation Application will determine Council’s ability to commit additional funding to priorities as set out in our Long-Term Financial Plan, and we want to have further conversations with our community to ensure these priorities are consistent with what our community has told us previously. Future Federation 2023-2024 are the plans that underpin our commitment to the community and I look forward to engaging with our community to identify priorities that will allow your Council to make important financial decisions, balance current and future needs, and ensure we are financially sustainable well into the future.”

This engagement opportunity is open from Tuesday, March 7 to Monday, April 3. There will be further opportunities for engagement with the community in May 2023.

Anyone who lives, works, studies or invests in Federation Council or visits our region and uses Council facilities or accesses our services, is invited to review the information provided, ask questions and provide feedback during this time.

Ways to provide feedback 

Complete the submission form on Council’s website Email: [email protected] Complete a feedback form in any one of our Council offices in Corowa, Howlong, Mulwala and Urana. Have a chat face-to-face at our upcoming budget pop-up sessions locations throughout Corowa, Howlong, Mulwala and Urana. Send in feedback to PO Box 77, Corowa, NSW, 2646. Phone: (02) 6033 8999.

Attend an upcoming Pop-Up Session:

Let’s talk Future Federation: Corowa – Memorial Plaza, Sanger Street, Corowa – Monday, March 13 from 10am – 12 noon. Let’s talk Future Federation: Howlong – Howlong Bakery, 53 Hawkins Street, Howlong – Tuesday, March 14 from 10am – 12 noon. Let’s talk Future Federation: Mulwala – Mulwala Bakery, 107 Melbourne Street, Mulwala – Wednesday, March 15 from 10am – 12 noon. Let’s talk Future Federation: Urana – Urana Council Office, 30 – 32 William Street, Urana – Thursday, March 16 from 10am – 12 noon.

Make a submission today, and find out more about Future Federation